Prospective study of blepharoptosis after plaque radiotherapy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Radiation Oncology

Background:

• Plaque radiotherapy is used to treat ocular tumors.
• Blepharoptosis is a potential complication following ophthalmic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the incidence and severity of blepharoptosis after plaque radiotherapy.
• To compare the rate of blepharoptosis in patients undergoing plaque radiotherapy versus those undergoing glaucoma filtering surgery.

Main Methods:

• A single-center prospective cohort study was conducted.
• Measurements included margin reflex distance 1 (MRD1), palpebral fissure height, eyelid excursion, and exophthalmometry.
• Data were compared to a control group of patients who underwent filtering glaucoma surgery.

Main Results:

• In the plaque radiotherapy group (n=24), postoperative ptosis increased from 20.8% to 62.5%.
• Mean palpebral fissure height decreased from 8.38 mm to 7.25 mm, and mean MRD1 decreased from 3.46 mm to 2.29 mm.
• The frequency of blepharoptosis in the plaque radiotherapy group was comparable to the glaucoma surgery group (62.5% vs. 64.3% postoperatively).

Conclusions:

• Blepharoptosis is a frequent complication of plaque radiotherapy, occurring in over half of patients.
• The incidence of blepharoptosis after plaque radiotherapy is similar to that after glaucoma filtering surgery.
• Patients should be informed about the risk of blepharoptosis following plaque radiotherapy.