What to expect from brachytherapy for retinoblastoma

Retinoblastoma brachytherapy uses a small plaque containing a radiation source. Under anaesthesia, an eye surgeon places it on the outside of the eye over the tumour. The child remains under specialist supervision while the plaque delivers its planned treatment. A later operation removes the plaque. The team uses examinations and imaging to guide treatment and protect the rest of the eye as far as possible.

The eyelid may be swollen or closed, and the eye can be red or uncomfortable after surgery. Children may need calm activities and help with eye protection while the surface heals. The oncology and eye teams will explain how the treated eye and the other eye are monitored.

Tell the team about medicines, allergies, recent illness and previous anaesthesia problems. Follow fasting instructions precisely. Pack familiar comfort items and arrange the practical support your family needs during the hospital stay. Give eye drops or pain medicine only as prescribed, prevent rubbing of the eye, and keep every follow-up appointment. Ask how school, play and protective covering should be handled during recovery.

Call the eye team for increasing swelling, discharge, persistent vomiting, fever, worsening pain or a child who is unusually difficult to settle. Seek urgent help for sudden loss of vision, injury to the eye, severe pain or rapid deterioration. Keep written discharge instructions and the hospital contact number with you.

Ask how the plaque will be secured, how long hospital monitoring may last, what comfort measures are available, how to give drops, which activities are restricted, and how vision and tumour response will be followed.