Removal of radiation-induced cataracts in patients treated for retinoblastoma
H. L. Brooks Jr, D. Meyer, J. A. Shields, A. G. Balas, L. B. Nelson and J. Fontanesi
Vitreoretinal Service, Tallahassee, Fla.
Experience with removal of radiation-induced cataract in patients treated
for retinoblastoma is limited. We retrospectively reviewed the records of
38 patients with retinoblastoma (42 eyes) who underwent removal of
radiation-induced cataract from 1973 to 1989. Nineteen eyes (45%) without
macular tumors or severe radiation complications had final visual acuities
in the range of 20/20 to 20/50. One eye (2.4%) developed a rhegmatogenous
retinal detachment and four eyes (9.5%) were noted to have amblyopia after
cataract removal. Three eyes (7%) developed retinoblastoma recurrence, one
with extension of retinoblastoma into the subconjunctival space through the
previous sclerotomy. Exenteration was performed and the patient was alive
after 8 years. Cataract removal can be visually beneficial in selected
patients with radiation-induced cataracts.
