What to expect from brachytherapy for eye melanoma

Eye melanoma brachytherapy commonly uses a small plaque containing a radiation source. During an operation, the plaque is placed on the outside wall of the eye over the tumour's location. The eye team uses examination and imaging to guide positioning. The plaque remains in place for the planned treatment period, then a second procedure removes it. You stay under the care of the specialist team while it is in place.

Anaesthesia is used for plaque placement and removal. Your vision may be blurred or the eye may feel irritated afterward, particularly while the eyelids and surface tissues heal. The treatment plan depends on tumour position, size and closeness to important eye structures.

Give the team a full list of medicines and tell them about allergies or previous eye operations. Follow fasting instructions and arrange transport because you should not drive after anaesthesia. Use eye drops exactly as prescribed, avoid rubbing or pressing the eye, and protect it as directed. Attend eye examinations so the team can check healing, eye pressure and vision.

Contact the eye team promptly for increasing redness, swelling, discharge, worsening pain, sudden vision change, new flashes or a curtain-like shadow. Urgent help is needed for severe pain, marked loss of vision, injury to the eye or symptoms that worsen quickly. Use the emergency contact provided at discharge rather than waiting for a routine review.

Ask where the plaque will sit, how long it is expected to remain, what vision changes are possible, which drops are needed, how to protect the eye, and which symptoms require same-day advice.