Being diagnosed with a condition that could affect your vision can be distressing. At The London Clinic Eye Centre, you’ll find world-class specialists working alongside dedicated, multidisciplinary teams to provide the best eye care possible. From diagnosis to recovery, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Eye cancer treatment
Also known as: eye oncology, ocular cancer treatment
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What is it for?
Treating different stages of eye cancer
Overview of eye cancer treatments
Eye cancer is a general umbrella term which covers all the different cancer types of the eye. This means that the type of eye cancer you have depends on the part of the eye it affects.
Eye cancer (also known as ocular cancer) is very rare – around 850 cases are diagnosed in the UK each year. 25% of these cases are in individuals aged 75 and over. The exception to this is a type of eye cancer called retinoblastoma, which usually affects children under the age of 5. Some of the cancers that affect the eye include:
- Melanoma – The most common type of eye cancer. It can develop in the eyeball, conjunctiva (covering the front of the eyeball), and eyelid.
- Squamous cell – A type of skin cancer found on areas of skin that have been exposed to the sun, including the eyelids.
- Lymphoma – A type of cancer that develops inside the eye or in the tissue surrounding the eye.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma – A type of sarcoma that develops in the soft tissue around the eye.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a common therapy for different types of eye cancer. It uses high-energy waves, which are like X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Treatment takes place over a number of short, daily treatments called treatment sessions or fractions.
Recovery timeline and aftercare
Radiotherapy is normally provided as an outpatient procedure. This means you should be able to go home on the same day. However, it is sometimes given as an inpatient treatment if you are feeling unwell.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. The drugs circulate throughout the body in the bloodstream. Chemotherapy for eye cancer can be administered through:
- a cannula
- an injection into the fluid around your spinal cord
- tablets
Recovery timeline and aftercare
You should be able to have chemotherapy treatment in a day clinic, either in one day or over a few days.
Chemotherapy can produce side effects, such as feeling sick and feeling very tired. So, it’s a good idea to make sure someone drives you home and that you have someone at home to help you recover.
Surgery
Surgery may be used to remove skin cancers from delicate areas around your eye.
Surgery to treat eye melanoma involves either removing the part of the eye with the melanoma and a small portion of healthy tissue which surrounds it or removing the whole eye. Your surgeon will aim to preserve your sight and only suggest the latter option if it is absolutely necessary.
Which procedure you have depends on the size and placement of your eye melanoma.
Recovery timeline and aftercare
For eye surgery, you may be put under a local anaesthetic, which would mean you’re still awake during the procedure, or a general anaesthetic may be used, which will mean you’re asleep during the procedure.
As this type of surgery is a major procedure, you may need to take time off work and have someone stay with you while you recover. After the surgery, depending on the location of your eye cancer, you may find it helpful to wear a pair of dark glasses until the swelling has gone down.
Eye cancer diagnosis
Our experts
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic Eye Centre?
The London Clinic Eye Centre provides the highest standards of eye care. Our team of expert ophthalmologists work in partnership with world leaders and experts from all aspects of medicine, combining state-of-the-art diagnostics with cutting-edge therapies to deliver a best-in-class service to a global audience.
Unparalleled eye expertise
Our ophthalmologists bring global experience across the full range of eye conditions, supported by advanced imaging and The London Clinic’s world-class facilities.
With you at every step
From your first appointment to follow-up, our clinicians, nurses and support teams provide coordinated, bespoke care so you always feel confident and supported.
Personal care, every time
We tailor your care around your individual needs, staying with you throughout your journey and ensuring you feel listened to and supported.
Speak to our team
Whether you’re seeking a diagnosis, treatment or a specialist opinion, our Eye Centre team is here to help. Find out more about how we can support your eye health.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.