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Giant retinal telangiectasia after ophthalmic plaque radiation therapy
Margarita Labkovich1,2,3, Paul T Finger1,4,2,3
1Department of Ocular Tumor, Orbital Disease, and Ophthalmic Radiation Therapy, The New York Eye Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
Purpose:
Radiation retinopathy is a known complication of plaque brachytherapy, characterized by progressive retinal vasculature damage. This study describes the clinical course of two cases of late post-radiation giant retinal telangiectasias, discovered in patients treated with radiation for choroidal melanomas.
Methods:
A single center chart review revealed two patients with giant retinal telangiectasis. Each patient had been treated with palladium-103 (103Pd) plaque brachytherapy for choroidal melanoma. Clinical data revealed their presentation, clinical course and treatment.
Results:
Giant retinal telangiectasias were associated with pre-retinal hemorrhages, exudates, and edema occurring 7 and 9 years after irradiation, with macular telangiectasia exhibiting a more fulminant course. It required both laser photocoagulation and periodic intravitreal steroid therapy; both received intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections. Treatment was given based on both telangiectasia activity and other radiation-induced ocular morbidities.
Conclusions:
Giant retinal telangiectasias are a rare complication that may occur after ophthalmic plaque radiation therapy.
