MEETH is now the only hospital in the Northeast offering a groundbreaking yttrium-90 radiation treatment for ocular tumors, including uveal melanoma. This fast, precise, and minimally invasive therapy can be completed in minutes, helping patients avoid eye removal and multiple procedures. A major advancement in ocular oncology care.
Northwell Health’s Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital (MEETH) has become the first and only hospital in the Northeast to offer a groundbreaking radiation treatment for ocular tumors, including uveal melanoma, that can be completed in just minutes. This innovative procedure may help patients avoid eye removal and eliminate the need for multiple surgical interventions.
The new approach uses high-dose, contact-based brachytherapy with an FDA-approved beta-emitting radiation source derived from yttrium-90. Unlike traditional plaque brachytherapy, which requires surgically implanting a radioactive disc into the eye for several days, this method delivers targeted radiation in seconds to minutes. A thin wand tipped with a six-millimeter yttrium-90 disc is gently applied directly to the tumor, then removed immediately — no sutures, no hospitalization, and no return procedure required.
According to Dr. Louis Potters, senior vice president and deputy physician-in-chief of the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, this technology is a “game-changer” for ocular cancer care. It offers precise, effective treatment that is fast, minimally invasive, and more convenient for patients while maintaining excellent tumor control.
The yttrium-90 isotope is particularly well-suited for eye cancers due to its short 64-hour half-life, which enables rapid, controlled dose delivery. Its limited tissue penetration minimizes the risk of damage to surrounding healthy structures, making it ideal for delicate ocular anatomy.
Eye and orbital cancers, including uveal melanoma, remain rare but serious, with approximately 3,140 new cases projected in the United States in 2025. Risk factors include fair skin, light eye color, older age, male sex, and certain genetic predispositions. Regular dilated eye exams and prompt evaluation of any vision changes or unusual eye appearance are key to early detection, when treatment is most effective.
MEETH’s leadership in eye care innovation spans decades — from establishing the nation’s first glaucoma clinic in 1942 to pioneering laser cataract surgery in 1993. Recently recognized as the first Center of Excellence in Ophthalmology by the Surgical Review Corporation, MEETH continues to set the standard for advanced ocular oncology and vision-saving treatments.