Bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after external-beam radiotherapy: just a coincidence?

Purpose To report an unusual case of almost simultaneous bilateral rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the context of external-beam radiotherapy for a tumor at a non-ocular target site and in the absence of pre-existing ocular pathology. Methods Observational case report with review of corresponding literature. Results A 63-year-old man was referred for bilateral retinal detachment which was associated with many horseshoe tears and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. He had undergone surgery for a carcinoma of the left maxillary sinus 4 months prior to the presentation and had then received external-beam radiotherapy for 3 months. There was no familial history of retinal detachment and/or eye trauma in this hyperopic patient with clear native lenses. No chorioretinal pathology was apparent that could have predisposed the retinas to tearing. Conclusions Simultaneous bilateral retinal detachment is exceptional, especially in a patient with no risk factors. The effect of radiotherapy on the vitreoretinal interface is discussed in the light of existing data and may have been responsible for our patient’s retinal detachment.