Longitudinal Vision-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Noninfectious Uveitis Treated with Fluocinolone Acetonide Implant or Systemic Corticosteroid Therapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate longitudinal vision-related quality of life (VRQoL) in patients with noninfectious uveitis. DESIGN: Cohort study using randomized controlled trial data. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with active or recently active intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, or panuveitis enrolled in the Multicenter Steroid Treatment Trial and Follow-up Study. METHODS: Data from the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) for the first 3 years after randomization were evaluated semiannually. Analyses were stratified by assigned treatment (129 implants vs. 126 systemic therapies) because of substantial differences in the trajectories of VRQoL. The impact of baseline measurements of visual function (visual acuity and visual field), demographics, and disease characteristics was assessed using generalized estimating equations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the NEI-VFQ-25 composite score over 3 years after randomization. RESULTS: Individuals in both treatment groups showed similar improvement in NEI-VFQ-25 scores after 3 years of follow-up (implant: 11.9 points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.6-15.2; P < 0.001; systemic: 9.0 points; 95% CI, 5.6-12.3; P < 0.001; P = 0.21 for interaction). Individuals in the implant group showed a substantial improvement during the first 6 months followed by stable scores, whereas individuals in the systemic group showed a steady improvement over the course of follow-up. Worse initial visual acuity and visual fields were associated with lower initial NEI-VFQ-25 scores for both treatment groups. In the systemic group, these differences were maintained throughout follow-up. In the implant group, individuals with initial visual acuity worse than 20/40 showed additional improvement in NEI-VFQ-25 score to come within -7 points (95% CI, -15.0 to 0.9) of those with visual acuity 20/40 or better initially, a clinically meaningful but not statistically significant difference (P = 0.081). Results based on sensitivity analyses showed similar patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatment groups demonstrated significant improvements in NEI-VFQ-25 scores; however, the improvement was immediate for the implant group as opposed to gradual for the systemic group. Poorer visual function was associated significantly with initial differences in NEI-VFQ-25 scores. However, only individuals in the implant group with poor visual acuity were able to overcome their initial deficits by the end of 3 years.

Juxtapapillary and circumpapillary choroidal melanoma: globe-sparing treatment outcomes with iodine-125 notched plaque brachytherapy.

PURPOSE: Managing juxtapapillary and circumpapillary choroidal melanoma with brachytherapy is challenging because of technical complications with accurate plaque placement and high radiation toxicity given tumor proximity to the optic nerve. We evaluated our center's experience using ultrasound-guided, Iodine (I)-125 notched plaque brachytherapy for treating choroidal melanoma contiguous with (juxtapapillary) and at least partially surrounding the optic disc (circumpapillary). METHODS: All cases of choroidal melanoma treated with I-125 notched plaque brachytherapy at our center from September 2003-December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Only patients with ≥18 months of follow-up who had lesions contiguous with the optic disc (0 mm of separation) were included. The tumor apex prescription dose was 85 Gy. Outcomes evaluated included local control, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), visual acuity, and radiation toxicity. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were included with a median follow-up of 44.1 months (range 18.2-129.0). AJCC T-category was T1 in 58.8%, T2 in 26.5%, and T3 in 14.7%. Median circumferential optic disc involvement was 50% (range 10%-100%). Eye retention was achieved in 94.1%. Actuarial 2- and 4-year rates of local recurrence were 3.1% and 7.6%, DMFS were 97.0% and 88.5%, CSS were 97.0% and 92.8%, and OS were 97.0% and 88.9%, respectively. In addition, 23.5% had visual acuity ≥20/200 at last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: I-125 notched plaque brachytherapy provides high eye preservation rates with acceptable longer-term post-treatment visual outcomes. Based on our experience, choroidal melanoma directly contiguous with and partially encasing the optic disc may be effectively treated with this technique.

Tumor-height regression rate after brachytherapy between choroidal melanoma gene expression profile classes: effect of controlling for tumor height.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between choroidal melanoma regression rate and its gene expression profile class after iodine-125 brachytherapy at 3 and 6 months, controlling for baseline tumor height. METHODS: Patients from October 2012 to January 2015 at a single Ophthalmic Oncology Center who had undergone iodine-125 brachytherapy for the treatment of choroidal melanoma and who had a gene expression profile test result obtained from intraoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy at the time of plaque surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline patient and tumor characteristics were obtained, including tumor height and gene expression profile test result. Tumor height at 3 and 6 months following treatment was obtained. Regression rate was analyzed with two-way analysis of variance to class type and baseline pre-operative tumor height. Class 2 patients were matched to class 1 patients by tumor height and resulting distributions of paired regression rate differences were compared. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were studied. When preoperative tumor height was controlled for in the comparative analysis, neither group of patients at 3 or 6 months had a significant dependency between gene expression profile class and tumor regression rate. Additionally, class 1 and class 2 patients matched for pre-operative tumor height did not express different regression rates. CONCLUSIONS: Our study adds to a growing body of evidence that tumor regression rate does not necessarily depend on gene expression profile class type in choroidal melanoma after brachytherapy at 3 and 6 months when controlling for baseline tumor height.

23-mm iodine-125 plaque for uveal melanoma: benefit of vitrectomy and silicone oil on visual acuity.

PURPOSE: To review outcomes in mostly large uveal melanoma treated with a 23-mm-diameter iodine-125 plaque, the largest size available at our center, and the influence of vitrectomy and silicone oil 1000 centistokes for radiation attenuation. METHODS: A one-to-one matched case-control comparison was performed. Case patients were treated with a 23-mm-diameter iodine-125 plaque and vitrectomy with silicone oil 1000-cSt placement. Control cases, treated with 23-mm plaque alone, were matched to cases with respect to tumor size and distance from tumor apex to optic nerve and fovea. Postoperative complications, visual acuity and metastasis were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty case patients with uveal melanoma treated with a 23-mm plaque were identified. The final logMAR vision was 0.83 in case patients and 2.06 in control patients (P = 0.0064); the change from pre-treatment to last follow-up logMAR vision was 0.70 in cases and 1.62 in controls (P = 0.019). Of good vision outcomes, 65 % of cases and 25 % of controls achieved vision ≥20/200 (P = 0.025). Of poor vision outcomes, 35 % of cases and 80 % of controls achieved vision <20/200 (P = 0.0053), and 5 % of cases and 35 % of controls achieved "light perception" or "no light perception" vision (P = 0.044). Thirty-nine of the 40 eyes (98 %) achieved local tumor control. Metastasis occurred in 15 % of cases and 45 % of controls (P = 0.082). CONCLUSIONS: Iodine-125 brachytherapy for mostly large uveal melanoma is effective in achieving local tumor control. Furthermore, combining brachytherapy with vitrectomy and silicone oil 1000-cSt for radiation attenuation significantly improves vision over the use of plaque alone.

Extrascleral extension of choroidal melanoma after iodine-125 brachytherapy treatment: a case series.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to report cases of choroidal melanoma that developed extrascleral tumour recurrence after treatment with iodine-125 brachytherapy. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this single-institution retrospective observational case series, all instances of biopsy-confirmed orbital melanoma after known intraocular melanoma were reviewed. Tumour characteristics, clinical course, time to recurrence, cytogenetics of initial tumour and recurrence, and presence of intraocular recurrence were documented. RESULTS: Five cases of orbital melanoma following treatment with plaque radiotherapy are described. Tumour staging was Ia (1), IIa (2), and IIb (2). The primary lesion in four of the five appeared to have undergone complete regression for an average of 2 years, with the orbital melanoma developing after this interval. Recurrence of the intraocular tumour was seen in conjunction with an extrascleral component in two cases. Four cases ultimately underwent enucleation or exenteration; three had evidence of direct extension of tumour through the sclera. Four cases in this series had molecular characteristics associated with high metastatic risk (three patients with monosomy 3, one with BAP1 mutation). CONCLUSIONS: High-risk tumour biology may predispose to late appearance of extrascleral melanoma despite optimal treatment and adequate control of the intraocular tumour. Extended follow-up with detailed orbital examination and imaging is recommended for this population.

Intraoperative ultrasonography-guided positioning of iodine 125 plaque brachytherapy in the treatment of choroidal melanoma.

PURPOSE: To report intraoperative ultrasonography-guided positioning of iodine 125 (I(125)) plaques for brachytherapy of choroidal melanoma as a quality improvement measure. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-center, consecutive case-cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty consecutive patients with choroidal melanoma. METHODS: Patients with choroidal melanoma who were treated with I(125) plaque brachytherapy from January 2007 through January 2011 with at least 6 months of clinical follow-up were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient and tumor characteristics at diagnosis were tabulated. The need for plaque repositioning if intraoperative ultrasonography showed the plaque to be either not centered on the tumor or if there was less than 1.0 mm of plaque margin beyond the tumor border was recorded. The rate of local treatment failure and occurrence of distant metastasis were determined. RESULTS: The average interval from surgery to last follow-up was 21.5 months. Fifty-four (36%) of 150 patients required plaque repositioning. Of tumors located in the macula, equator, and periphery, 15 (36.6%), 26 (36.6%), and 13 (34.2%) required repositioning. There was no case of local treatment failure during a mean follow-up of 21.5 months (range, 6-48 months). Clinical evidence of choroidal melanoma metastasis developed in 9 patients. The cumulative 2-year Kaplan-Meier rate of local treatment failure in the cohort was statistically lower compared with the Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study, which did not require ultrasonography-guided plaque positioning. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative ultrasonography identified the need to reposition I(125) plaques to achieve centration and plaque margin (>1.0 mm) beyond the tumor border in 36% of eyes. Neither tumor size nor tumor location correlated with the need to reposition the plaque. There was no case of local treatment failure during follow-up in this series. Correct plaque position is an essential component of quality outcomes in brachytherapy. Intraoperative ultrasonography reduces geographic errors in placement in eye plaque therapy and may help to reduce local treatment failure in choroidal melanoma.

Scleral Buckle-Associated Ciliochoroidal Melanoma.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of a ciliochoroidal melanoma arising from the site of a scleral buckle. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHOD: A 69-year-old female was referred for evaluation of decreased vision and occasional floaters in the left eye for two months. Eight years previously, she had undergone vitrectomy and scleral buckling for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair in the same eye. Clinical examination revealed an elevated, pigmented choroidal mass in the inferonasal periphery at the crest of the scleral buckle. Clinical and ultrasonographic features were consistent with ciliochoroidal melanoma. RESULTS: The patient underwent Iodine-125 brachytherapy with plaque placement directly on the scleral buckle. Intraoperative ultrasonography confirmed accurate plaque position. Appropriate tumor response was demonstrated at serial follow up-evaluations; however, over 48 months, the patient developed gradual decline in vision secondary to radiation retinopathy. CONCLUSION: Choroidal melanomas may arise from the same location as a scleral buckle and local tumor control with brachytherapy can be achieved without manipulation or removal of the buckle element. However, we encourage orbital surgeons to consider the radiation attenuating effect of silicone, found in the buckle, in order to prevent undertreatment of these melanomas.

Diagnosis of Choroidal Melanoma in Dense Asteroid Hyalosis.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the utility of Optos ultra-wide field imaging in the diagnosis and management of choroidal melanoma in the setting of asteroid hyalosis. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHOD: A 52-year-old female was referred for evaluation of floaters, photopsias, and blurry vision in the right eye. Clinical examination revealed dense asteroid hyalosis obscuring the fundus, and a limited view of a pigmented choroidal lesion in the nasal periphery. Optos ultra-wide field fluorescein angiography and ultrasonography facilitated the diagnosis of a choroidal melanoma. RESULTS: The patient underwent Iodine-125 brachytherapy for local tumor control and excellent tumor response was confirmed with serial follow-up Optos imaging and ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: Ultra-wide field fundus fluorescein angiography facilitated the diagnosis of a choroidal melanoma, which was obscured by dense asteroid hyalosis, allowing for local tumor control with brachytherapy. Optos wide-field imaging may be a valuable tool for detecting potentially life-threatening lesions in the setting of asteroid hyalosis.