Long-term follow-up results of ocular damages after radiation therapy in maxillar cancer

There have been many reports about ocular damages after radiation therapy for treatment of maxillar cancer, but seems to be no reports on the study about many cases, followed up for more than three years after radiation therapy. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the incidence of development of ocular damages in 23 patients with maxillar cancer, which were followed up for more than three years after radiation therapy (60Co and Linac). Some ocular damages secondary to radiation therapy were found in all patients. Radiation cataract was found in 73.9% and the development of radiation cataract was closely related to the dosages of radiation both 60Co and Linac. Radiation retinopathy was found in 21.7% and developed only in Linac-treated patients. Based on the long-term follow-up studies, it was confirmed that the incidence of development of ocular damages after radiation therapy was higher beyond expectation. It was therefore emphasized that the follow-up studies for more than three years is absolutely necessary when discussing the ocular damages after radiation therapy. (auth.)