Abstract
Simple SummaryThe ocular surface represents a finely regulated system that allows the protection of the eye. It can be affected by therapies used for the treatment of various intraocular tumours, particularly conjunctival cancers and uveal melanoma. In these conditions, treatments are chosen according to the characteristics of the lesion, and include a combination of selective surgery, anticancer eye drops, and/or radiotherapy delivered through different mechanisms. Possible side effects affecting the ocular surface range from transient dry eye or keratitis up to more severe complications such as corneal melting and perforation. These complications deserve careful evaluation for the risk of permanent sight-threatening sequelae. Physicians involved in the management of patients affected by ocular tumours should be aware of this risk in order to reach an early diagnosis and promptly set up an adequate treatment. The present review summarizes acute and chronic complications affecting the ocular surface following different therapies for the treatment of conjunctival cancers and uveal melanoma, and also reports clinical cases of representative patients who experienced these complications.The ocular surface represents a finely regulated system that allows the protection of the eye. It is particularly susceptible to different treatments for intraocular tumours, such as uveal melanoma and conjunctival cancers. Traditionally, the management of ocular tumours depends on the characteristics of the lesion, and is based on a combination of selective surgery, topical chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy delivered through different mechanisms (e.g., charged-particle radiotherapy or brachytherapy). Possible complications involving the ocular surface range from transient dry eye disease or keratitis up to corneal melting and perforation, which in any case deserve careful evaluation for the risk of permanent sigh-threatening complications. Clinicians involved in the management of these patients must be aware of this risk, in order to reach an early diagnosis and promptly set up an adequate treatment. The present review of the literature will summarize acute and chronic complications affecting the ocular surface following different therapies for the treatment of ocular tumours.
Highlights
Ocular tumours encompass a wide spectrum of disorders that represent important sight- and life-threatening conditions [1]
Their early recognition is crucial in order to promptly set up an adequate treatment able to avoid permanent sight-threatening complications
It should be noted that the incidence rates of the complications reported in the literature are rarely adjusted for all risk factors and cofactors that could determine their onset
Summary
Ocular tumours encompass a wide spectrum of disorders that represent important sight- and life-threatening conditions [1]. The ocular surface consists of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctival epithelium, the corneoscleral limbus, the corneal epithelium, and the tear film. It represents the interface between the functioning eye and the environment, and it is a finely regulated complex system that provides anatomic, physiological, and immunologic protection of the eye [18]. Both anticancer drugs and radiotherapy can lead to ocular surface morbidities, ranging from transient dry eye disease or keratitis up to corneal melting and perforation [19]. The aim of this review is to summarize the acute and chronic, relevant ocular surface complications that can occur following different therapies for the treatment of ocular tumours
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