PURPOSE:
To evaluate the long-term visual outcomes and
complications of
cataract surgery in
eyes previously treated for
retinoblastoma.
METHODS:
We reviewed the
medical records of
patients who underwent
cataract extraction and
intraocular lens implantation at
Seoul National
University Children's
Hospital for a
secondary cataract that developed after
retinoblastoma treatment.
RESULTS:
During the period between 1990 and 2014, 208
eyes of 147
patients received
eye-salvaging
treatment (
radiotherapy,
chemotherapy, and local
therapy) for
retinoblastoma at
Seoul National
University Children's
Hospital. Among these
eyes, a
secondary cataract was detected in 17
eyes of 14
patients, and five
eyes of five
patients underwent
cataract surgery. The median age of
cataract formation was 97 months (range, 38 to 153 months). The medial interval between the
diagnosis of
retinoblastoma and
cataract formation was 79 months (range, 29 to 140 months). All
patients received posterior chamber
intraocular lens insertion after irrigation and aspiration of the lens through a scleral tunnel incision. Anterior
vitrectomy and
posterior capsulotomy were performed in two
eyes and a
laser capsulotomy was subsequently performed in one
eye. No intraoperative and
postoperative complications occurred. The median follow-up after
surgery was 36 months (range, 14 to 47 months). The final best corrected
visual acuities were improved in all five
eyes. No intraocular
tumor recurrences or
metastases occurred.
CONCLUSIONS:
After
retinoblastoma regression,
cataract extraction in our series was not associated with
tumor recurrence or
metastasis. Visual improvement was noted in every
patient.