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Retinal tear and detachment after transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma
David J Browning1, Andrew N Antoszyk
1Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates, North Carolina 28210, USA. djbrowning@carolina.rr.com
Purpose:
To report a side effect of transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma.
Design:
Small case series.
Methods:
Review of clinical charts and photographs in a private retina practice.
Results:
Retinal tears developed in two patients after transpupillary thermotherapy for choroidal melanoma. In one patient a secondary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment developed.
Conclusions:
Transpupillary thermotherapy can result in vitreous traction on the retina over the choroidal tumor, which can lead to a retinal tear and to retinal detachment. Patients should be warned about this possibility and advised to be examined should photopsias or new floaters develop after treatment.