The Division of Ocular Oncology was established after more than 20 years of providing treatment for eye cancer at Duke. Under the leadership of Miguel Materin, MD, Professor of Ophthalmology and Professor of Radiation Oncology, the Division of Ocular Oncology provides full time specialized care for children and adults battling benign and malignant tumors of the eye.
Originally part of the retina division, the need for ocular cancer treatment has consistently grown in recent years. The Division now handles more than 500 patients per month, with numbers continuing to rise.
In response to the growing need for ocular oncology care at Duke Eye Center and across the country, the Division is host to a thriving training ground, including a one-year Ophthalmic Oncology Fellowship program {link to fellowship page}. The fellowship embraces a multidisciplinary approach to medical and surgical management of a wide range of ophthalmic cancers, along with a robust research component.
Since 2017, Duke University has hosted ocular oncology fellows from both national and international backgrounds, all under the mentorship of Materin, Duke Pathology and Duke Radiation Oncology earning well versed fellowship in ocular oncology.
Upon completion of the fellowship program, 2023 graduate, Arpita Maniar, MBBS, MD – also a skilled oculofacial plastic surgeon and ophthalmologist, joined the Ocular Oncology Division as a full-time attending physician and faculty member at Duke. Together, they are actively involved in training ophthalmology residents, delivering direct patient care, and advancing research efforts.
Pioneering Treatments
As an example, in June 2023, Duke became one of only two treatment centers in the U.S. certified to utilize the novel high dose-rate (HDR) Yttrium-90 (Y-90) brachytherapy procedure.
The Y-90 procedure, cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for episcleral brachytherapy of ocular tumors and benign growths, involves placing an applicator with a Yttrium-90 disc directly over the surface of eye for treatment. This approach effectively treats small lesions from a variety of conditions, including ocular surface tumors and posterior (intraocular) tumors. Remarkably, most procedures are completed in less than 10 minutes.
In collaboration with Duke Department of Radiation Oncology, Junzo Chino, MD, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology and Director of brachytherapy, has worked with the division to successfully perform the Y-90 procedure as well as other radiation treatments.
The collaborative team in ophthalmology and radiation oncology continue to pave the way for advancements that not only improve patient outcomes but also set new standards of excellence, positioning Duke as a pioneering force in the development of eye cancer treatments.
Expanding Capabilities
Integral to the Ocular Oncology Division’s capacity to train the next generation of practitioners and deliver crucial patient care is its collaboration and teamwork with the Duke Cancer Center and other nationally-recognized treatment facilities. By collaborating with distinguished specialists in fields such as pediatric oncology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology and others, they ensure the highest standard of care for patients battling the spread of disease.