Regression of macular drusenoid retinal pigment epithelial detachments after plaque radiation therapy

The authors describe a case in which drusenoid retinal pigment epithelial detachments (DRPEDs) melted after plaque radiation therapy for an unrelated choroidal melanoma. The patient had a history of bilateral macular DRPEDs prior to palladium-103 plaque therapy. The choroidal melanoma was located in the temporal macula. The central fovea was calculated to receive an incidental radiation dose of 34 Gy. Six months after treatment, an ipsilateral, unilateral reduction of DRPEDs was first noted by comparative fundus photography and optical coherence tomography. From his initial evaluation to his last follow-up, the patient's visual acuity slightly improved from 20/20 to 20/16.