Evaluation of treatment-associated eye toxicity after irradiation in childhood and adolescence—results from the Registry of the Evaluation of Side Effects after Radiotherapy in Childhood and Adolescence (RiSK)

Purpose The aim of the study is to evaluate treatment-related acute and late eye toxicity associated with radiation therapy in childhood and adolescence as correlated with RT (radiotherapy) doses. Methods From 2001 to 2016, a total of 1725 children and adolescents undergoing radiation therapy were prospectively documented in the Registry of the Evaluation of Side Effects after Radiotherapy in Childhood and Adolescence (RiSK). The RTOG/EORTC criteria were used to classify ocular acute and late effects. Uni- and multivariate analyses were carried out to evaluate the impact of patient age, pre-existing impairments, and radiation dose on ocular toxicity. Results Of all documented patients, 593 received dose to the eye and formed the basis of this analysis. In 435 patients, information on acute reaction was available and graded 1, 2, 3, and 4 in 49, 17, 0, and 2 patients, respectively. Information on late toxicity was available in 268 patients and graded 1, 2, 3, and 4 in 15, 11, 11, and 5 patients, respectively. The acute toxicity rate was significantly higher in children who received a maximum dose > 50 Gy to the eye ( p < 0.001) and who had a pre-existing eye impairment ( p < 0.001 in multivariate analysis). The development of late toxicity was significantly higher for patients experiencing acute toxicity and having received a radiation dose > 50 Gy. Conclusion Acute and late toxicity both correlate with high radiation dose to the eye (> 50 Gy) and acute toxicity additionally with pre-existing eye impairments.