How long does radiotherapy take to work for eye melanoma?

Eye melanoma, also called ocular or uveal melanoma, develops in tissues of the eye. Radiotherapy is focused on the tumour while the team plans to limit exposure to nearby structures. The biological effect continues after treatment, and the eye may look or feel different while it heals.

An ophthalmologist may check the tumour, retina, optic nerve, eye pressure, and vision at follow-up. A change in sight does not by itself show whether treatment has worked, and early inflammation can affect vision. Longer-term monitoring helps identify effects on the eye as well as changes in the treated tumour.

Attend every eye and oncology review, use prescribed drops exactly as directed, and protect the eye from irritation according to your team’s instructions. Report new floaters, flashes, a curtain-like shadow, pain, redness, or a noticeable change in vision rather than waiting for a routine visit.

Ask when driving, screen use, exercise, and work can be resumed safely. Keep a note of visual changes in each eye, since comparing them can help the specialist understand what has changed.

Contact your eye team promptly for sudden or worsening vision loss, severe eye pain, marked redness, new flashes or floaters, or a shadow across your vision. Seek urgent help for severe headache with vomiting, collapse, or sudden neurological symptoms.

Ask when the first post-treatment eye examination will take place, which imaging will be used, and what vision changes can occur during healing. Ask how to use each eye drop, what activities to avoid, and whom to contact if sight changes overnight.