You will have received this as a leaflet following your recent treatment with a radioactive eye plaque.
The following information is designed to answer any questions that you might have after undergoing this treatment.
You will be sent home with your eye covered with a patch. Please keep the patch in place until the morning after your surgery.
The drops are used to prevent infection and reduce inflammation after surgery. You will be taught how to use them before you leave the ward.
Please instil the eye drops as instructed. If you run out of drops, please contact your GP. If you are having difficulty using the drops, you may be able to get an eye drop compliance aid from the pharmacy or chemist to help. It may also be possible to arrange for district nurses to come in and assist you - please contact your GP for this. You will be seen in clinic or have a telephone appointment approximately four to six weeks following discharge.
In the first week following surgery, you may find that your eye feels quite sticky, particularlyin the morning when you remove the eye shield.
Gently clean your eye with some saline or cool boiled water and gauze/swabs. Saline can be made up as follows at home: Boil one cup of water with a pinch of salt, let it cool down before cleaning. You will need to make fresh saline each time.
Saline water and swabs are also available to purchase from your local chemist.
Wash your hands and using some moistened swabs, gently wipe along the lashes, from your nose outwards. It is important that you use a clean piece of gauze/swab each time you wipe.
Once the radioactive plaque is removed, there is no radiation in your body, on your clothing or personal belongings. However, you may experience the following side effects:
You will be given a hard patch to wear at night for the first 10 days following your discharge from hospital. To prevent the risk of infection, please avoid rubbing your eye.
You can wash your hair, watch TV and go out in the first two weeks after leaving hospital, but it is best to avoid lifting or any strenuous activities during this period. You can resume normal activities and return to work two to four weeks after leaving hospital.
Please call 020 7566 2357 and choose option 3 for oncology.
If you are finding it difficult to come to terms with your diagnosis and the treatment that yourequire, you may find it helpful to speak to one of our nurse counsellors based at Moorfields City Road. Counselling provides an opportunity to talk things through, allowing you the time to explore your thoughts and feelings and to make sense of the way you feel. The counsellors are based in City Road and are able to offer confidential, face-to- face counselling to all adult patients over the age of 18yrs. The service is available Monday to Friday 9-5pm.
Contact details:
You may need to leave a voicemail but please do not worry as this line is confidential. It is helpful to keep the message short and clear, including your contact details.
Your clinician can also refer you to the counselling service. If we are not able to help, we will be able to talk things through with you or point you in the direction of alternative support.
Eye clinic liaison officers (ECLOs) are available at Moorfields Eye Hospital in City Road to assist those living with sight loss. This includes patients, their relatives and carers. For more information about ECLO services at City Road, please ask a member of staff for an information leaflet, theseare also available at the health hub, located at the main entrance of the hospital.
If you are feeling very distressed, despairing or suicidal and need immediate help,please contact your GP and ask for an emergency appointment. If your GP is closed, please consider calling the national non-emergency number 111.
You can also go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department where a mental health practitioner will be able to assess you and give you appropriate help.
Macmillan provide practical, medical and financial support and advice for people going through cancer.
A charity for people and their families who are living with conditions, marks or scars that affect their appearance.
St Bartholomew’s Hospital London or your local centre can be found at: www.maggiescentres.org
Information about sight loss and registration.
Phone: 0207 566 2355
Alternatively our Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI) team will be able to offer help and advice.
Mental health support - Samaritans
A free 24 hour helpline for anyone in mental distress.
Provides mental health information, advice, counselling and advocacy.
Authors: Victoria Cohen, clinical lead consultant and Sinead Hanrahan, clinical nurse specialist
Review date: October 2023