Clinical Evaluation of Radiation Retinopathy.

Jung, Kyu Bong; Jeong, Jung Yeong; Lee, Sang Joon; Kim, Shin Dong

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2005;46(8):1305-1312.
Published online August 31, 2005.

Clinical Evaluation of Radiation Retinopathy.

Kyu Bong Jung, Jung Yeong Jeong, Sang Joon Lee, Shin Dong Kim

Department of Ophthalmology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. shdkim@ns.kosinmed.or.kr

방사선 망막증의 임상고찰

정규봉,정중영,이상준,김신동

Department of Ophthalmology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea

Correspondence: Kyu-Bong Jung, M.D.

Abstract

PURPOSE
To assess variable clinical findings and risk factors of radiation retinopathy and to evaluate the effects of laser photocoagulation. METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of 55 patients who received fractionated external-beam radiation during the treatment of head and neck tumors and who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up from January 1996 to June 2002. RESULTS: Thirteen eyes in 8 patients developed radiation retinopathy. The mean time to the onset of symptoms attributable to retinal ischemia was 28 months (range, 15 to 43 months). The most common initial visual symptom was decreased visual acuity. Retinal hemorrhages, hard exudates and cotton wool spots were frequently observed fundus findings, and capillary non-perfusion on fluorescein angiography was the invariable findings. The mean total radiation dose was significantly higher in the retinopathy positive group (66.9+/-5.7 Gy) than in the retinopathy negative group (55.4+/-15.8 Gy) (P<0.05). Laser photocoagulation was performed in nine eyes of which 7 had good prognosis for retaining and regaining good central vision at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although radiation retinopathy is infrequent, the long-term visual outcome is good with adequate laser photocoagulation treatment when detected early by close and regular follow-up.

Key Words: External beam radiation;Laser photocoagulation;Radiation retinopathy