Secondary Ophthalmic Artery Chemotherapy for Bilateral Retinoblastoma After Incomplete Response to Intravenous Chemotherapy: Initial Prospective Experience from a Resource-Limited Setting

Background

Ophthalmic artery chemotherapy (OAC) is increasingly used for globe salvage in retinoblastoma, but prospective evidence from low- and middle- income countries is scarce. We evaluated short-term outcomes of secondary OAC after insufficient response to intravenous chemotherapy (IVC) with/without focal therapy in a resource- limited setting. Materials & methods: In this prospective study (January 2023-June 2025), 21 eyes (5 group B, 5 group C, 8 group D, 3 group E) from 20 children with bilateral retinoblastoma were included; 19 had prior unilateral enucleation. Thirteen eyes underwent bridging OAC after partial IVC response, and eight received rescue OAC for failure or recurrence. Primary endpoints were globe salvage, tumor control, and complications.