Fabrication of a radiotherapy device for an eyelid using a dental computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing system.

In radiotherapy for eyelid malignant tumors, a shield containing lead has typically been used to protect the eye and prevent complications such as cataracts, blindness, and eyesight deterioration associated with external irradiation. However, the fabrication of the shield involves complex steps, including making an impression of the eye. Recently, digital technologies such as 3-dimensional (3D) scanners have become popular in dentistry. In this report, a shield was fabricated using a dental computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing system based on 3D digital data of the orbital and ocular surface obtained with a 3D scanner. The individual parts of the shield were designed using a denture-design software program, milled from dental acrylic resin, assembled with the lead plate, and polished. Radiotherapy for an eyelid tumor was performed with the shield, and resulted in favorable tumor control. The application of digital technology to fabricate eye shields should benefit patients receiving radiotherapy for eyelid tumors.