Eye Service | Our services | Ocular oncology (eye cancer) service
Ocular oncology (eye cancer) service
The ocular oncology service is the longest standing service of its kind in the UK.
Local radiation treatment (brachytherapy) for uveal melanoma and retinoblastoma was developed here. Consequently, we have a lot of experience and are currently the largest UK practice.
On average, we treat 250 cases of uveal melanoma a year.
This is almost half the annual number uveal melanoma cases seen in the UK. We also have the largest UK practice that offers treatment for cancers affecting the surface of the eye.
Where to find us
The Eye Department: level 2 in the outpatient building of St Bartholomew’s Hospital all day on Friday.
Inpatients are admitted to our dedicated ocular oncology ward, Francis-Frazer ward in St George V building of St Bartholomew’s hospital.
What to expect at your appointment
Your first visit to the ocular oncology service will take at least five hours. You will have your vision checked by a nurse and then a doctor will see you and ask you lots of questions and examine your eyes.
In order to complete a full examination, both pupils will be dilated which means you'll be unable to drive or read for the rest of the day.
At your first visit we do several additional investigations including an ocular ultrasound and some digital photography.
Finally, you will be seen by the consultant and the diagnosis and treatment will be discussed in detail.
Should you require treatment
A date for surgery or laser treatment is negotiated with you that very same day. Sometimes the consultant will ask you to have a blood test, chest x-ray or even an abdominal ultrasound on the same day so that all tests are available prior to surgery.
A counselling service is also provided by our nurse counsellor and printed material is available for you to take home and read in your own time. The nurse counsellor will give you a contact number if you have any further questions and will also coordinate your treatment with the hospital and other members of the team.
What are the follow up arrangements?
We follow-up all patients, however the frequency of follow up is dependent on your diagnosis. In general benign conditions such as naevi are seen at 4-6 monthly intervals in the first instance. If no change is noted then the follow up interval is extended eventually to an annual review.
