The Effects of Radiation Therapy on the Ocular Apparatus: Implications for Management

Radiotherapy is utilized in the treatment of various cancers of the central nervous system and head and neck. Given the high concentration of organs-at-risk in this region, care must be exercised to minimize the dose delivered to these structures. Studies have shown that excessive radiation exposure can adversely impact the eyes, potentially resulting in the loss of their function. For instance, radiation doses greater than 50 Gy have been shown to increase the incidence of retinopathy, and radiation doses as low as 0.5 Gy have been shown to induce cataract formation. In this review, we discuss the ocular complications of radiotherapy used in the treatment of cancers of the central nervous system and head and neck. We then transition to potential strategies to spare the eyes during radiotherapy in an effort to reduce the rates and severity of ocular complications and preserve vision.