Treatment for eye cancer
Targeted cancer drugs work by targeting the differences in cancer cells that help them to grow and survive. Other drugs help the to attack cancer. They are called immunotherapies.
Some drugs work in more than one way. So they are targeted as well as working with the immune system.
Whether you have targeted therapy and immunotherapy will depend on:
the type of eye cancer you have
how far the cancer has grown (the stage)
treatment you may have had already
whether your cancer has certain proteins
whether your cancer has certain changes (mutations)
You might have the targeted drug rituximab with chemotherapy for a type of eye lymphoma called primary vitreoretinal lymphoma.
You may have immunotherapy if uveal melanoma has spread from your eye to other parts of your body.
You might need to have a blood test or a test using some of your cancer to find out whether the treatment is likely to work. These tests look for changes in certain proteins or genes.
The results of these tests help your specialist decide on the type of drug that is suitable for you.
Rituximab is a type of targeted cancer drug called a . Monoclonal antibodies target proteins on the surface of cancer cells.
Rituximab targets a protein called CD20 on the surface of the lymphoma cells. The antibody sticks to all the CD20 proteins it finds. This makes it easier for the cells of the immune system to pick out the marked cells and kill them.
Tebentafusp is a type of immunotherapy called a T-cell engager.
Tebentafusp binds to a protein on the healthy T cells (immune cells that kill cancer cells) and a protein on the melanoma cells. This stimulates the body's immune system and helps the immune cells to find and kill the melanoma cells.
You may have it in one of the following situations. Your cancer:
can’t be removed by surgery (unresectable)
has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic)
Ipilimumab and nivolumab are immunotherapies called immune checkpoint inhibitors. They work by blocking proteins that stop the immune system from working properly and attacking cancer cells. They help your immune system find and kill cancer cells.
You may have nivolumab on its own or with ipilimumab. If the combination with ipilimumab causes you to have severe side effects, then you will have nivolumab only.
Pembrolizumab is also a type of immunotherapy called an immune checkpoint inhibitor. It stimulates the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.
You can read more about these drugs on our A to Z cancer drugs list.
New cancer drugs are licensed for use in a particular way. For example, a drug might have a license to treat a particular stage of a cancer.
Once a drug has a license, several independent organisations approve the new cancer drugs before doctors can prescribe them on the NHS.
In England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) decides which drugs and treatments are available on the NHS.
In Wales, the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) advises NHS Wales. They generally follow NICE decisions but can also issue their own guidance.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) advises NHS Scotland. Its decisions are separate from decisions made by NICE.
Not all targeted and immunotherapy drugs are available throughout the UK. It might depend on where you live whether you can have a certain drug. Your doctor can tell you what drug is available for you.
Read more about access to treatment
You usually have rituximab as a drip into your bloodstream or as an injection into the eye (intravitreal injection).
You have tebentafusp, ipilimumab plus nivolumab, and pembrolizumab as a drip into your bloodstream (intravenously).
If you have nivolumab on its own, you may have it as a drip into your bloodstream or an injection under the skin (subcutaneously).
Find out more about how you have cancer drugs
Targeted therapy drugs and immunotherapy drugs can cause different side effects. Some of these can be serious. Your doctor or nurse will talk to you about this. Always tell them about any side effects you have and follow the advice they give you.
Choose a drug on our A to Z list to read about side effects and find out more about the drug.
Last reviewed: 23 May 2025
Next review due: 23 May 2028
Your treatment depends on several factors. These include what type of eye cancer you have, how big it is and whether it has spread (the stage). It also depends on your general health.
Your GP or optometrist will ask you about your symptoms, and they might examine you. They may arrange tests or a referral to a specialist.
All treatments must be fully researched before they can be adopted as standard treatment for everyone.
There is support available for you and your family during and after treatment for eye cancer.
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