Wolfram-silicone implants as effective radiation shielding for ocular brachytherapy: dosimetric features and in vivo animal study on biocompatibility.

Objective: To evaluate wolfram as a photon and beta absorber in the management of uveal melanoma with radiotherapy, examining its potential ocular adverse effects and physiologic tolerance using an in vivo rabbit ocular model.

Methods: A method of manufacturing implants from mixtures of wolfram and silicone was developed. Their shielding effect on the radiation of sources used in ocular brachytherapy was investigated by dosimetric measurement in an eye phantom as well as numerical simulations.