Visual function following enucleation or episcleral plaque radiotherapy for posterior uveal melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the posttreatment visual performance of patients with a primary posterior uveal melanoma treated by enucleation or plaque radiotherapy.


METHODS
Standardized interview using previously reported interview instrument.


METHODS
Referral center.


METHODS
One hundred two patients with malignant melanoma of choroid or ciliary body, 51 of whom had been treated by primary enucleation and 51 of whom had been treated by plaque radiotherapy.


METHODS
Vision-related changes in employment status, driving status, reading ability, and television-watching ability during available posttreatment follow-up.


RESULTS
Forty-eight (94.1%) of the patients who had undergone enucleation and 46 (90.2%) of the patients who had undergone irradiation reported no vision-related change in any of four evaluated areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The great majority of patients with posterior uveal melanoma retain satisfactory visual performance status for many years after initial treatment, regardless of whether that treatment was enucleation or plaque radiotherapy.
Augsburger
J J
JJ
Oncology Unit, Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa.
Goel
S D
SD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012590:Sclera; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*