Complications of local beta radiation of uveal melanomas.

The results of local beta ray radiation of 295 eyes containing a uveal melanoma (including 74 melanomas of the anterior choroid and ciliary body) are presented with special respect to the complications of treatment. The most frequent complications were radiation retinopathy and optic neuropathy. Complications known to occur from other radiation methods, such as dry eye syndrome, loss of cilia, and scleral necrosis, did not occur in our series. The incidence of radiation cataract, as compared to the treatment with 60Co plaques, was lower in our series. An average of 700 Gy delivered to the scleral base of the tumor was needed for uveal melanomas which could be destroyed. This radiation dose resulted in a 10% incidence of radiation retinopathy.