Long-Term Results after Intraocular Surgery in Treated Retinoblastoma Eyes

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The aim of the study was to analyze the results of intraocular surgery in treated retinoblastoma eyes and to assess the long-term results with a priority on local recurrences, secondary enucleation, and metastases. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Retrospective noncomparative case series. <b><i>Results:</i></b> From March 1964 to January 2020, 42 eyes of 40 retinoblastoma patients underwent intraocular surgery. Time interval between the last therapy and surgery was 9.5 years (mean: 114 months; median: 54.5 months). 31 eyes were treated for radiogenic cataract formation with a gain in visual acuity of 61.3%. One child developed an upper eyelid metastasis, 3 showed second primary malignancies (SPM), one a late recurrence, and 2 eyes were enucleated. Retinal surgery was performed in 17 eyes; 6 eyes were done as a combined procedure. Indications were radiogenic complications in the sense of a vitreous hemorrhage in 11 eyes and a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 6 eyes. 41.2% of the treated eyes had a postoperative gain in visual acuity, whereas 9.5% of the eyes could not be preserved in the long term. Regarding systemic involvement 2 patients developed late recurrences and one a SPM. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Surgical therapy in treated retinoblastoma is necessary in isolated cases. In our series, cataract surgery was a safe procedure with a good option of a significant increase in visual acuity. As expected, vitreoretinal treated eyes showed a limited gain in visual acuity, a higher risk of late recurrences, and a lower globe retention rate. Therefore, a careful indication and individual risk-benefit analysis are mandatory.