Proton beam irradiation has been used for the treatment of 60 eyes with choroidal melanomas located 3 mm or less from the fovea. The average follow-up period was 18 months. 86% of the treated lesions showed regression at the time of this analysis, and the 14% that did not were followed up for less than a year. Visual acuity remained the same in 47% of the treated eyes, improved in 20%, and deteriorated in 33%. 58% of the treated eyes had visual acuity of 20/100 or better at the last follow-up examination. Radiation vasculopathy with macular oedema was the most common complication, and it was observed in 22% of the treated eyes. These preliminary observations suggest that proton beam irradiation may be a reasonable alternative to enucleation even for this group of choroidal melanomas, which is considered unfavourable in respect of the preservation of visual function.
CITATION STYLE
Gragoudas, E. S., Goitein, M., Seddon, J., Verhey, L., Munzenrider, J., Urie, M., … Koehler, A. (1984). Preliminary results of proton beam irradiation of macular and paramacular melanomas. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 68(7), 479–485. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.68.7.479
Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.