2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
4 Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors
Part II: Intraocular Tumors: Clinical Aspects
Chapter 19: Retinoblastoma
Local Consolidation Therapy
Laser Photocoagulation
Various types of laser treatments have been used to manage retinoblastoma. Lasers can be employed as a primary modality for group A/cT1a eyes with small tumors or as adjuvant treatment after systemic or intra-arterial chemotherapy. Most practitioners utilize an 810-nm infrared or 532-nm green laser for these purposes. The laser techniques vary, but for all treatments, the laser is applied to the tumor surface to elicit cytotoxic effects in tumor cells via photocoagulation or thermal injury. Multiple laser treatment sessions are necessary for tumor control, and complications of this modality include iris atrophy, cataracts, tumor seeding into the vitreous, retinal traction, and fibrosis.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 4 - Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.