Strabismus in adults with uveal melanoma following episcleral plaque brachytherapy

PURPOSE: To ascertain the incidence of persistent strabismus in patients treated with plaque brachytherapy and its subsequent treatment. METHODS: A single center retrospective case note review of adult patients with persistent diplopia or strabismus following plaque brachytherapy for all types of intraocular tumors between 1996 and 2004. RESULTS: A total of 929 consecutive adults underwent plaque brachytherapy during the study period at a single center. Sixteen patients (1.7%) with treated uveal melanoma developed persistent diplopia or strabismus. In 11 patients (69%) the timing of onset was in the first year, in 2 (13%) in the second year, and one each (6% each) in years 5, 7, and 8. Two patients (13%) did not require any intervention. Fourteen patients (88%) required treatment: 7 (50%) were treated with prisms only, 3 (21%) underwent botulinum toxin (BTXA) injections, and 4 (29%) were treated with extraocular muscle surgery (3 required one operation and one required 2 procedures). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of ocular motility disorders following plaque brachytherapy in our cohort was 1.7% over 8 years and we include this in the consent process for conservative treatment of intraocular tumors. Options for treatment for persistent diplopia or strabismus include prisms, botulinum toxin injection, or surgery.     

Micropulse diode laser photocoagulation for central serous chorio-retinopathy

Purpose:  Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is usually characterized by a localized detachment of the neurosensory retina that is self-limiting. However, some cases may persist or recur leading to degenerative changes of the retinal pigment epithelium and the neurosensory retina resulting in severe visual loss and requiring intervention.
Methods:  This retrospective case series reports the long-term visual outcome of the use of micropulse laser photocoagulation for this condition with a review of literature.
Results:  The mean follow up was 17.1 months. Four of the five patients had complete resolution of symptoms whereas one patient had recurrent CSC from a new leak that failed to resolve after repeat micropulse treatment despite improvement in symptoms.
Discussion:  The outcomes in this case series confirm the long-term efficacy of micropulse laser in the management of CSC. It produces therapeutic effects that appear comparable to those of conventional photocoagulation with no detectable signs of laser-induced iatrogenic damage.