I had ruthenium radiotherapy in my left eye to treat the tumor and 3 months later I still have distorted vision and wavy lines/flashing lights. Can anyone advise if this is normal.
Difficult to say from my perspective having had PBT.
It isn't clear from what you present is if these were symptoms pre treatment, but would recommend you call/speak with the specialist oncology nurses perhaps to discuss. They are possibly best positioned to advise on what can/can't be expected given the treatment you have received.
Yes this is normal. I had radiotherapy 3 years ago and still have the original flashing lights. I have been reassured that this is normal and nothing to be concerned about
Thank you it is good to know I have been worried as my vision is still very blurry and the lights and wavy lines are worse but maybe it is a case of it gets worse before it gets better. The tumor was bigger after surgery but was told it would have grown before treatment. I am finding the whole thing very stressful but will maybe get in touch with hospital after Christmas.
Hi, I'm sorry to hear this. I had my brachytherapy just over 18 months ago, and for the first 6 months or so after it, I got flashing black dots (a bit like watching paintballers cover my walls!) and vision was blurry. I had a wavy, shimmery, flashing watery type of movement in the corner of the bad eye before the surgeries, and I thought that would go but that didn't either. I still have this 18 months later, and every time I ask about it they tell me it is normal and they don't know why I still have it, other than the treatment has been done, but the tumour caused the original damage and that is what these 'after-op' symptoms still are, if that makes sense. Like they are either caused by the radiation, or they are caused by the damage to the eye, so they can continue afterwards, even if the tumour is treated successfully. My tumour is still there, and they last said to me "It is just sitting there doing its own thing" and yet they still only want to check it every 4-6 months. My vision though, has got worse and worse over the 18 months. It is very blurry and every month if has got more blurry and less clear and they don't seem bothered about this. I can only see the top 2 lines of the letter chart with my treated eye now, which is a right pain. Nobody helps, just looks at the tumour and then says see you again soon. They do sadly say that the radiation causes progressive damage, but the good news is that they saved our lives. That's their first and most important priority of course. Also my tumour was bigger after the surgery for about 9-12 months I think. They told me it was just reacting to the radiation. Now it is only very marginally smaller. But other people have theirs reduce right away to just a scar. Everyone is different it seems. Wishing you well. xx
Thank you for your reply. I am sorry to hear about your sight deteriorating it is very scary. The Hospital forgot to tell me about the chances of it spreading but were apologetic and I have had my first lot of scans and going to Oncology clinic on Wednesday. It is such a slow process and I feel like I have this hanging over me until my next appointment in a few months. Wish you all the best for 2026
Thank you for asking. Scans were all clear so that was good but unfortunately my eyesight like you is slowly deteriorating and the lines are worse my eye actually aches but when I went back to Hospital the tumour has increased in size and not dying so have to go back at end of March for more measurements and if it the treatment has not worked they will remove my eye. As you know too well it is the waiting and uncertainty that is the worst part of it. How are you doing hope things are improving?
Hi, I am sorry to hear your sight is deteriorating too. They don't prepare for you for all the post-brachytherapy stuff do they! I also get a lot of aching in the treated eye, I really sympathise. I am really sorry as well to hear that the tumour hasn't shrunk away and is still increasing. Having enucleation is very scary, and yes indeed, the not knowing and waiting is just AWFUL. Please let us know how it goes at the end of March and what happens. I might possibly be in a similar position, as I have to go back at the end of March/April too, as mine has been what they call "stable" since the op, it hasn't shrunk at all, and they are just watching it more closely to see what it does. I now have been getting pains in my rib area on the right side (my right, looking down) which worries me. I haven't told any doctors yet, I will wait a bit longer and see if they still keep getting worse. Also I have been so extra tired in the last couple of months. I wish you well and please let us know. Take good care! xx
I am sorry to hear that you are not great. You ought to go and get a scan for the pain as the earlier it is treated the better chance you have. Do you go to Moorfields as I feel they do look after you. I was in for 6 days with the treatment and consultant said I was given a high dosage of radiotherapy, I know I wasn't prepared for the outcome and was in a bit of shock so didn't ask too many questions! Let me know how you get on and please go to hospital for a scan. It is good to chat to someone going through this as it is very scary. Take care and look after yourself xx
Thank you for your nice reply! Yes, I too go to Moorfields. They are thorough in their exams and tests, which is good, although the 'chat' part is often too quick! I was in for 5 days, and yes, the care in that room/ward was very good. I was told that the strength of radiation they have to use to try and kill a choroidal melanoma is so high that it would destroy both of a woman's boobs in one foul swoop, can you believe it!
Great to chat to you too, yes, let's check back in here when either of us have any news, please do! Take care of yourself, xxx
