Orbit
Introduction
Introduction:
Survivors of childhood cancer are at increased risk for ocular late effects. The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) reported that survivors 5 or more years from diagnosis are at increased risk for cataracts, glaucoma, legal blindness, double vision, and dry eyes when compared with siblings1.
Ocular and auditory late effects occur in approximately 22% of childhood cancer survivors2
In general the reported prevalence of ocular conditions is 2X to 5X higher in childhood cancer survivors than in their non-treated siblings 5 years post diagnosis1
Common ocular late effects include:
- Cataracts
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)
- Visual loss1
Ocular damage can be secondary to the following factors:
- Disease related
- In cases of unilateral retinoblastoma, the disease is often too advanced before it is detected and the only treatment possible is surgical removal of the eye. Local treatment can be used to manage smaller tumours picked up often through screening at risk individuals.
- Treatment related
- Radiation therapy (RT)
- Chemotherapy
- Corticosteroids3
- Patient related:
- Underlying problems such as diabetes and collagen vascular disease increase the risk of treatment related late effects.
