Outcomes after cataract extraction in young children with radiation-induced cataracts and retinoblastoma.

Background: An expected side effect of external beam radiation therapy for retinoblastoma is cataract formation, which impairs a child's visual development and an ophthalmologist's ability to examine the eye. When surgery is indicated, the potential complications can be vision-or life-threatening. Here we report the results of cataract extraction with intraocular lens placement in young children with retinoblastoma.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital who had undergone external beam radiation therapy for retinoblastoma during a 25-year period was performed. Patients who required cataract extraction with IOL placement were included. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and ocular complications were recorded.

Results: The chart review identified 40 patients (53 eyes) with cataracts, of whom 15 (19 eyes) had surgery. Of the 19 eyes, 2 (10.5%) developed a vitreous hemorrhage (one of which was subsequently enucleated secondary to phthisis, whereas the other resolved without further complications). A total of 12 eyes (63.2%) required Nd:YAG laser capsulotomies (mean, 3.6 months; range, 1-7 months). None developed recurrence or spread of disease. Thirteen eyes (68.4%) had improved visual acuity after cataract extraction and intraocular lens placement, 4 of which (30.8%) subsequently lost vision as the result of other complications of retinoblastoma treatment. Visual acuity outcomes were 20/20 to 20/60 in 3 eyes (15.8%); 20/70 to 20/200 in 4 (21.1%); and 20/400 or less in 10 (52.6%). One patient (5.2%) required enucleation.

Conclusions: Patients who underwent cataract extraction after treatment for retinoblastoma had few postoperative adverse outcomes, and visual acuity improved in most patients immediately after surgery. However, some patients who showed initial improvement subsequently lost vision as the result of other complications from retinoblastoma treatment.