[Radiation-induced retinopathy]

Radiation retinopathy is observed after intraocular tumor irradiation (mainly uveal melanomas, retinoblastoma being more seldom) or intracranial tumours radiotherapy. Today radiation retinopathy is also seen after irradiation for choroidal neovascularization observed in age-related macular degeneration. Radiation retinopathy after posterior uveal tumor irradiation will be described. Besides biomicroscopy, fluoresceinic angiography is useful for diagnosis more than treatment which is without efficacy in most cases. Major radiosensitivity of vascular endothelium due to a rapid cell turn over could explain not only radiation maculopathy but also optic disc neuropathy. Radiation doses and tumour location are mainly responsible for macular and/or optic nerve head vascular complications. Moreover, after vascular and tissular retinal complications, choriocapillaris and main choroidal vessels can also be affected after radiotherapy.