Slotted Eye Plaques - Treatment of Tumors Near, Touching and Surrounding the Optic Disc

Normal plaque position was defined by the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) as covering the entire tumor and a 2-3 mm margin of normal-appearing tissue. However, the optic nerve in its sheath behind the eye is 5-6 mm wide. In order to achieve normal plaque position for any tumors that are near the 1.8 mm wide optic disc, an 8-mm slot was required to accommodate for the optic nerve sheath diameter, incorporate it into part of the plaque and thus move the plaque into ABS normal position.

Paul T. Finger, MD, FACS The New York Eye Cancer Center 115 East 61st Street New York City, New York, USA 10065 E-mail: pfinger@eyecancer.com Telephone: (011) 212 832 8170