Sub-Tenon Triamcinolone in the Prevention of Radiation-Induced Macular Edema
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2007-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Melanoma is the most common primary tumour which occurs inside the eye. For over 20-years, it
has been possible, in many cases, to use local delivery of radiation to the eye to treat this
type of tumour, avoiding the need to surgically remove the affected eye. This treatment,
however, is often complicated by radiation-induced loss of vision, months or years after
treatment.
The aim of this research project is to investigate the potential prevention of radiation
complications in the eye by giving anti-inflammatory medication (a long-acting steroid) in
the form of a local injection around the eye at the time of treatment, and at 4-months and
8-months following treatment. This medication (named 'triamcinolone') has been successfully
used to treat similar complications of diabetic eye disease, for example, and has a good
safety profile.
The rationale of this study is to attempt to preserve vision, in addition to preserving the
eye, in patients affected by this eye tumour, and therefore preserve quality of life for
these patients.