Purpose

The evaluate the frequency of radiation of the optic neuropathy (RON) and its influence on visual acuity in patients with choroidal melanoma treated by brachytherapy.

Material and methods

We analyzed 583 patients with choroidal melanoma, treated with ruthenium ( 106Ru) or iodine ( 125I) plaques in Ophthalmology Department of Jagiellonian University, between 1996 and 2004 year. The frequency of RON, its influence on loss of vision, according to a kind of the used isotope, tumor size and location were analyzed. Diagnosis of RON was established on the base of characteristic symptoms in the eye fundus.

Results

The frequency of RON was significantly higher in cases treated by 125I vs 106Ru (14% vs 8,2%, p=0.0014), in cases of tumors located in the posterior pole (31,3%, p=0.012), and in cases of tumor thickness 3-8 mm (27,5%, p=0.033). In most of patients we observed major deterioration of visual acuity.

Conclusions

The radiation of the optic neuropathy was seen often after iodine BT, tumors located in the posterior pole of fundus, with thickness 3-8 mm.