Vision Improvement Years After Plaque Brachytherapy

Is it possible for vision to improve years later after brachytherapy plaque treatment and radiation side-effects? Yes! This is a phenomenon that is no longer a surprise to me when I hear about vision improvement from my patients. Although we have been told that the radiation will result in vision loss and blindness, it is rarely so devastating as some ocular oncologists make it out to be. The trickiest thing with vision side-effects after radiation, is that ultimate final vision is hard to predict with accuracy. I share a story about a long-standing patient of mine, who has had two brachytherapy plaques 10 years apart, and whose vision has recently improved. Anything is possible, so let's set ourselves up for the best case scenario. Enjoy this episode! Welcome to Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma, a guide to understanding everything there is to know about your experience with this rare cancer. Learn through the lens of my knowledge and clinical experience as a physician expert and passionate patient advocate. The more you know about ocular melanoma, the better you will do, and the better you will live. Let's go! The content shared on the Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided must not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As a listener, you are responsible for your own health-related decisions and must consider consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.  Tara McCannel MD PhD is a an ocular oncologist, vitreoretinal surgeon and co-founder of Seyhart Wellness. She is also the host of the Mind Body MD podcast where she shares her passion for holistic health and wellness.