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Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Cancer (PDQ®)
Patient Version   Health Professional Version   En español   Last Modified: 04/24/2009
Table 4. Eye Late Effectsa

Late Effect  Causative Treatment   Signs and Symptoms  Screening and Diagnostic Tests  Management and Intervention 
aAdapted from Schwartz et al.[37]
Lacrimal glands: decreased tear production Chemotherapy: Fluorouracil (5-FU) Dry, irritated red eye, foreign-body sensation, positive fluorescein staining Penlight/slit lamp exam, fluorescein staining Tear replacement, occlude lacrimal puncta, education regarding avoiding rubbing lids when puncta plug is intact
Radiation: >50 Gy
Lacrimal duct: fibrosis Chemotherapy: 5-FU Tearing Ophthalmic exam Dilation of duct
Radiation: >50 Gy
Eyelids:
Ulceration Radiation: >50 Gy Blepharitis, bleeding/crusted lesion, previous infections Physical exam Topical/oral steroids, skin balm; teach: lid hygiene, radiosensitizing drugs, UV protection; avoid trauma, harsh soaps and lotions
Telangiectasia Radiation: >50 Gy Enlarged, tortuous blood vessels, pigmentary changes Slit lamp/penlight exam, open and closed eyelid exam Topical/oral steroids, skin balm; teach: lid hygiene, radiosensitizing drugs, UV protection; avoid trauma, harsh soaps and lotions
Conjunctiva:
Necrosis Radiation: Radioactive plaque therapy Dry, irritated eye, foreign-body sensation Slit lamp/penlight exam, fluorescein stain Steroids/antibiotic drops
Scarring Radiation: >50 Gy Irregular, rough conjunctival surface, telangiectasia Tear replacement (resolves spontaneously)
Subconjunctival hemorrhage Radiation: >45 Gy Irritated eye, foreign-body sensation, dry, irregular conjunctival surface Patching, tear replacement
Sclera: thinning Radiation: >50 Gy May be asymptomatic, dry eyes, foreign-body sensation; grey, charred, blue sclera Slit lamp/penlight exam Antibiotic drops, avoid trauma, protective glasses
Cornea: ulceration Radiation: >45 Gy Pain, foreign-body sensation, decreased visual acuity, photosensitivity Slit lamp/penlight exam, fluorescein staining Tear replacement, antibiotics, soft bandages, soft contact lens, surgery, ophthalmology
Neovascularization Radiation: >50 Gy Increased tearing, increased vessels surrounding edge of cornea Slit lamp exam Tear replacement, antibiotics, soft bandages, soft contact lens, surgery, ophthalmology
Keratinization Radiation: >50 Gy Decreased corneal sensation, photosensitivity, fluorescein staining Slit lamp exam, fluorescein staining
Edema Radiation: >40 Gy Decreased visual acuity, hazy cornea Penlight/slit lamp exam: white, opaque cornea
Lens: cataract Chemotherapy: Steroids (incidence varies with dose) Decreased visual acuity, opaque lens Direct ophthalmoscopic exam, decreased red reflex, slit lamp/penlight exam: opaque lens Prevention by shielding during treatment, surgical removal, educate regarding UV protection
Radiation: >8 Gy (single dose), >10–15 Gy (fractionated)
Iris:
Neovascularization Radiation: >50 Gy May be asymptomatic, new blood vessels in iris (rubeosis), blood in anterior chamber, different colored irises Slit lamp/penlight exam Steroid drops
Secondary glaucoma Eye pain, headache, nausea/vomiting, decreased peripheral vision, increased intraocular pressure Measure ocular pressure Beta blocker drops, atropine, acetazolamide (Diamox)
Atrophy Radiation: >50 Gy Decreased iris stroma at pupillary margin Slit lamp/penlight exam Photocoagulation
Retina:
Infarction Radiation: >50 Gy Blanched white cotton specks, decreased visual acuity, decreased visual field, blurred vision (central or peripheral), blood vessels: yellow fluid, bleeding, thin, incompetent vessels, tortuous, enlarged vessels Visual acuity, visual field (confrontation computerized or Amsler grid), direct and indirect ophthalmoscope exam, fundus photography Steroids, photocoagulation, education regarding avoiding aspirin and bleeding precautions
Exudates Radiation: >50 Gy Visual acuity, visual field (confrontation computerized or Amsler grid), direct and indirect ophthalmoscope exam, fundus photography Steroids, photocoagulation, education regarding avoiding aspirin and bleeding precautions
Hemorrhage Radiation: >50 Gy Visual acuity, visual field (confrontation computerized or Amsler grid), direct and indirect ophthalmoscope exam, fundus photography Steroids, photocoagulation, education regarding avoiding aspirin and bleeding precautions
Telangiectasia Radiation: >50 Gy Visual acuity, visual field (confrontation computerized or Amsler grid), direct and indirect ophthalmoscope exam, fundus photography Steroids, photocoagulation, education regarding avoiding aspirin and bleeding precautions
Neovascularization Radiation: >50 Gy Visual acuity, visual field (confrontation computerized or Amsler grid), direct and indirect ophthalmoscope exam, fundus photography Steroids, photocoagulation, education regarding avoiding aspirin and bleeding precautions
Macular edema visual acuity and visual field Blister of fluid in the macula Visual acuity, visual field (confrontation computerized or Amsler grid), direct and indirect ophthalmoscope exam, fundus photography Steroids, photocoagulation, education regarding avoiding aspirin and bleeding precautions
Optic neuropathy Radiation: >50 Gy Pale optic disc, abnormal pupillary responses Visual evaluation Visual aids
Surgery: Tumor resection

References

  1. Schwartz C L, Hobbie WL, Constine LS, et al., eds.: Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Assessment and Management. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby, 1994. 


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