Acute and long-term effects of radiation therapy to the eye in children.

The goal of radiation therapy in pediatric cancer is to destroy cancer cells and preserve functional surrounding normal cells. Although all radiation for pediatric cancers does not result in complications of the eye, acute and long-term radiation effects can occur after treatment. Acute radiation effects to the eye include erythema, epilation, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, keratitis, corneal ulceration, iritis, and retinal edema. Long-term radiation effects include tissue necrosis, decreased tear production, telangiectasia, scleral melting, cataract, corneal neovascularization, radiation retinopathy, retarded bone growth (of bones within the irradiated field), and radiation-induced cancers. Nursing interventions and implications will be presented in conjunction with medical management for each of these acute and long-term effects.