Sector laser photocoagulation for the prevention of macular edema after plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma: a pilot study.

Objective: To investigate the role of sector laser photocoagulation for prevention of macular edema after plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma.
Methods: Noncomparative, pilot interventional case series. The main outcome measure was optical coherence tomography-evident macular edema.
Results: A total of 29 patients had sector laser photocoagulation (sector panretinal photocoagulation) and sub-Tenon triamcinolone injection. The median tumor thickness and base was 3.3 mm and 10.0 mm. The median radiation dose and rate to the macula was 2,944 cGy and 31.0 cGy/hour. At the 12-month and 24-months follow-up, cystoid macular edema was found in 17% and 24% of the sector panretinal photocoagulation group. There were no major side effects registered.
Conclusion: Sector panretinal photocoagulation in combination with sub-Tenon triamcinolone appears to show potential as a safe and beneficial intervention for the prevention of macular edema after plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma in this series.