Bilateral loss of vision following radiation therapy

Abstract

Following radiation therapy tor unilateral paranasal sinus malignancies. three patients (one of whom also received chemotherapy) sustained loss of vision in the ipsilateral eye two to three years later due to chorioretinal dysfunction, and in the contralateral eye three to four vears later secondary to optic nerve compromise. There was no evidence of persistent tumor. The occurrence of this delayed post-irradiation complication appears to be mediated by impairment of the arterial perfusion of the eye or of the optic nerve, and may be potentiated by simultaneous chemotherapy.

Key Words:

• paranasal sinus malignancy
• radiotherapy
• loss of vision
• chorioretinopathy