Eye Cancer

Seven-year-old Sargun is currently undergoing chemotherapy sessions at the Institute. After years of watching their little boy go through tests and treatment at other facilities, Sargun’s parents are hopeful that the doctors at the Institute can save their son’s life. “Looking at the quality of services provided, we’re confident that Sargun is now in safe hands,” says Sargun’s mother.

Ocular cancer is a relatively minor cause of blindness but some kinds, like retinoblastoma, can be fatal. In India alone, retinoblastoma accounts for about three percent of all cancers affecting children under the age of five. There are about 5,000 new cases of retinoblastoma reported every year.

Timely treatment of this cancer can save the lives of 95 percent of the children suffering from this disease. In 75 percent of the cases, a child’s vision can be saved. Early screening and treatment are essential.

There are only a few hospitals around the world that specialize in treating the entire range of ophthalmic tumours in both children and adults, and also provide training, research and capacity building. With the help of our generous donors, Operation Eyesight opened one of these world-class facilities in India in 2015. Click here to read more about it.