To study the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of eyes presenting with retinoblastoma and total retinal detachment.

A retrospective study of 50 eyes in 43 patients.

The mean age at presentation was 15 months (median, 9 months). Retinoblastoma-associated total retinal detachment was unilateral (n = 36; 84%) or bilateral (n = 7; 16%). The mean tumor basal diameter was 17 mm (median, 18 mm), and the mean tumor thickness was 13 mm (median, 12 mm). Associated features included subretinal seeds (n = 26; 52%), vitreous seeds (n = 13; 26%), and subretinal exudation (n = 4; 8%). Based on eighth edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer classification, the tumors were classified as cT2a (n = 19; 38%), cT2b (n = 28; 56%), or cT3c (n = 3; 6%). Primary treatment included intravenous (n = 48; 96%) or intraarterial chemotherapy (n = 2; 4%). Over a mean follow-up period of 30 months (median, 29 months; range, 7–62 months), retinal detachment resolved in 41 eyes (82%), tumor recurrence was noted in 39 eyes (78%), globe salvage was achieved in 35 eyes (70%), and one patient (2%) died due to metastasis.

Relatively high tumor recurrence rate is noted in retinoblastoma presenting with total retinal detachment. With appropriate treatment, 70% of the globes can be salvaged.