An Eye Plaque is a form of brachytherapy used to deliver high doses of radiation to an intra-ocular (eye) tumor.

Small radioactive “seeds” (Iodine-125 pellets) are attached to a gold “plaque” which resembles a small bowl.  In the Operating Room with the patient under anesthesia, the plaque is affixed to the eye of the patient underneath the tumor.

Eye Plaques

The gold blocks nearly all the low energy radiation (known as beta rays) emitted, directing treatment to the tumor.

Various size plaques (10-20 mm) are used.  The dose prescribed is a function of the size of the tumor and its location. 

The total treatment time is approximately 7 days.  After which, the patient returns to the operating room, the plaque is removed and the patient is discharged to home.

Eye Plaque Publications by UCSD Faculty                                                           

CB Saw, M Seidel, T Pawlicki, et al. Seed determination for eye plaque therapy. Med Dosim 18:33-7, 1993