Read article Side effects of radiotherapy for eye cancer
This page tells you about the side effects of radiotherapy for eye cancer. There is information about
Side effects of radiotherapy to the eye
Radiotherapy to the eye does have some side effects. You may not have all of the side effects in the list below. It depends which part of your eye is treated. Parts of your eye are protected during treatment with tiny lead shields to help prevent long term side effects.
Short term side effects
Your eyelashes may fall out. They should grow back after your treatment, although maybe not straightaway. Temporary swelling can cause the pressure inside your eye to rise. Until your treatment is over you will have eye drops, and possibly steroid tablets, to treat this. You are likely to feel quite tired for a few weeks after your radiotherapy.
Long term side effects
Radiotherapy to the eye sometimes causes a cataract. This is when your lens becomes misty or fogged, so that you can't see clearly. It may take years to develop. If you do get a cataract, you can have an operation to remove and replace the lens. Another possible side effect is dryness of the eye. You can have eye drops to moisten your eye if dryness becomes a problem. Some people develop problems with focusing their eye after radiotherapy.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the treating eye cancer section.
Radiotherapy to the eye does have some side effects. You may not have all of the side effects in the list below. It depends which part of your eye is treated. During treatment, parts of your eye are protected with tiny lead shields to help prevent long term side effects.
Short term side effects
The possible short term side effects are
Your eyelashes should grow back after your treatment, although maybe not straightaway. Until they do grow back, some people wear false eyelashes.
Temporary swelling can cause the pressure inside your eye to rise. Until your treatment is over you will have eye drops, and possibly steroid tablets, to treat this.
You are likely to feel quite tired for a few weeks after your radiotherapy. This is normal but can be frustrating. People tend to think they should have their energy back because their treatment has finished. But the radiotherapy doses can affect you for some time after treatment. So it is important to take care of yourself and rest if you feel tired. There is information about feeling tired in the general radiotherapy section.
The possible long term side effects are
- Cataract
- Dry, sore eye
When your lens becomes misty or fogged, so that you can't see clearly, this is called a cataract. Your specialist will shield your lens from the radiation beam if possible. A cataract after radiation exposure takes a while to develop, perhaps years. If you do get a cataract, you can have an operation to remove and replace it.
Dryness of the eye can sometimes develop as a long term side effect. The gland that makes tears is shielded from the radiation to reduce this side effect. You can have eye drops to moisten your eye if dryness becomes a problem. You may need to use these drops every day to stop the covering of the eye (the cornea) from getting inflamed and sore.
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