Radiation retinopathy in patients with both diabetes mellitus and ophthalmic Graves' disease

Abstract

Three patients with ophthalmic Graves' disease (OGD) and diabetes mellitus, as well as two other patients with diabetes mellitus, irradiated for a carcinoma in the maxillary sinus, developed radiation retinopathy after treatment with a relatively low radiation dosage. This type of retinopathy, occurring after a low irradiation dosage, has not been reported before in patients with OGD.

Seven other case histories of a radiation retinopathy without diabetes mellitus, developing one to 15 years after local or external beam irradiation are reported. Radiation retinopathy was observed in one or both eyes. The irradiation concerned various conditions in the head and neck region. Argon laser therapy was performed in three non-diabetic and one diabetic patient, in one non-diabetic patient combined with corticosteroid treatment. In this particular case also vitrectomy was done. In all other cases the disease was self-limiting. Many patients irradiated in the past will not inform you spontaneously about their disease, so you may have to ask specifically for this additional information.

Key Words:

• Radiation retinopathy
• diabetes mellitus
• ophthalmic Graves' disease (OGD)