Anophthalmic Sockets in Retinoblastoma: A Single Center Experience

To evaluate outcomes of anophthalmic sockets in retinoblastoma at a tertiary care center in Singapore.

A retrospective study.

Patients who underwent enucleation as sole/part of treatment for retinoblastoma were reviewed at our center from 2005-2017. Details including demographics, grouping and staging, adjuvant therapy, surgery, implant, and complications were collected.

Of 42 patients with retinoblastoma managed over the period, the anophthalmic sockets of 31 patients who underwent enucleation were analyzed. Mean age at enucleation was 2 years. Twenty-three enucleations were performed at our institution and 8 enucleations had been performed elsewhere. Seventeen patients (52%) had porous polypropylene, 9 patients (27%) had polymethylmethacrylate, 1 patient (3%) had glass implant, and 3 (9%) had dermis fat graft. The sizes of implants varied from 10 to 20 mm. Twelve patients had attempts at globe salvation before enucleation. Out of 28 patients with primary orbital implants, 3 had implant exposure. The rates of repeat surgery among patients with and without primary implant were 66.67% (2 out of 3) and 10.7% (3 out of 28), respectively. One patient had postenucleation socket syndrome with stock eye. Five patients referred for enucleation were conservatively managed.

Anophthalmic sockets in retinoblastoma have long-term implications if the primary procedure is not performed well. While the majority had good outcomes (structural and esthetic), a minority had complications requiring intervention. Ophthalmologists managing retinoblastoma must be aware of these. Primary implant had favorable outcome with minimal complications.