Rare Surgery: Five months infant treated for eye cancer at Sankara Eye Hospital

In one of the rarest of rare cases, Sankara Eye Hospital successfully diagnosed and treated a Congenital uveal malignant melanoma (a type of cancerous tumor in the eye)i n a5 -month old infant. This is the first such case reported in ourcountry. Malignant uveal melanoma is normally seen in adults.Congenital uveal malignant melanoma is exceedingly rare wherein only 5 confirmed caseshave been documented in the world between 1966 and 2014.

Rohan (name changed), was born full term out of a non-consanguineous marriage. He was 5 months old when he was diagnosed with congenital uveal malignant melanoma of the eye, which is a rare type of tumor arising from melanocytes. After the diagnosis enucleation a procedure used to remove the eye to treat certain intraocular tumors.Rohan was subsequently fitted with a customised ocular prosthesis.

Sankara Eye Hospital

Dr. Shruthi Tara, CMO and Consultant-Oculoplasty, Sankara Eye Hospital, who diagnosed and treated the tumour in Rohan’s eyes said, This is the first reported case of congenital malignant melanoma of uveain the country.”

Rohan is now a happy and bright 3-year-old attending regular schooland leads a normal life .He is under regular follow up with the paediatric ophthalmology and ocular oncology team, according to a communication from the hospital.