VISUAL RESULTS AND OCULAR COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING RADIOTHERAPY FOR RETINOBLASTOMA ARCHIVES OF OPHTHALMOLOGY Egbert, P. R., Donaldson, S. S., MOAZED, K., Rosenthal, A. R. 1978; 96 (10): 1826-1830

Abstract

Between 1956 and 1974, 28 children with retinoblastoma have been irradiated with the linear accelerator at the Stanford University Medical Center. Twenty-seven children (96%) have been cured of their tumor, with follow-up ranging from 2 1/2 to 21 years. In these survivors, 50 eyes were affected. Twelve were treated by primary enucleation and 38 were irradiated. Sixteen of the 38 irradiated eyes (42%) were ultimately enucleated for recurrent tumor, neovascular glaucoma, or inability to observe the tumor through opaque media. Thus, 22 (58%) irradiated eyes were saved. Of these, five eyes had visual acuity of 20/40 or better, five had 20/50 to 20/100, nine had 20/200 to hand motion, and three had light perception or no light perception. Radiation therapy can sterilize the tumor and maintain useful vision in many children with retinoblastoma.

View details for Web of Science ID A1978FS98000008

View details for PubMedID 697618