Lenticular changes in eyes with advanced intraocular retinoblastoma: A histopathological study of 48 enucleated eyes.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the lenticular changes in advanced intraocular retinoblastoma (RB) and identify the risk factors for cataract in these eyes.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 48 primary enucleations.

RESULTS

All enucleated eyes were classified either as group D (n = 7; 15%) or group E (n = 41; 85%) tumors based on the International Classification of Intraocular Retinoblastoma. Of the 48 enucleated eyes with RB, cataract was noted clinically in only 5 (18%) cases, while histopathology revealed cataractous changes in 28 (58%) cases. Based on histopathology, the cataractous changes included anterior subcapsular cataract ( = 10; 36%), cortical cataract ( = 6; 21%), posterior subcapsular cataract ( = 10; 36%) and both anterior and posterior subcapsular cataract ( = 2; 7%). Based on multivariate logistic regression, only increased area of necrosis on histopathology was the significant ( = .009) factor predictive of cataractous changes in lens with an odds ratio of 1.08.

CONCLUSION

Eyes with advanced RB can harbor cataract in 58% cases, though most of these are subclinical. Clinically significant cataract may be evident in only 18% cases. Increased tumor necrosis is associated with the development of cataractous changes in RB cases.