Iatrogenic Ocular Surface Complications After Surgery for Ocular and Adnexal Tumors

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background/Objectives: The management of ocular tumors often necessitates surgery, either alone or in combination with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or other modalities. While crucial for tumor control, these treatments can significantly impact the ocular surface, leading to both acute and chronic complications. This review examines iatrogenic ocular surface diseases resulting from oncologic interventions, emphasizing their pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies. Methods: A literature review was conducted to identify studies on iatrogenic ocular surface complications associated with ocular tumor treatments. Results: Ocular surface complications include direct damage from surgical manipulation, leading to corneal opacities and persistent epithelial defects, as well as dry eye disease secondary to postoperative chemosis. These disruptions may progress to more severe conditions such as keratopathy, corneal ulcers, limbal stem cell deficiency, and stromal scarring, further impairing visual function. Structural alterations contribute to eyelid malpositions-including ectropion, entropion, round eye, and lagophthalmos-which exacerbate exposure-related damage and ocular surface instability. In cases of uveal melanomas, the exposure of episcleral brachytherapy plaques can induce chronic conjunctival irritation, promoting adhesion formation and symblepharon. Surg

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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