Eye Cancer Treatment in India

Diya Bhatia, a 28-year-old graphic designer...

Diya Bhatia, a 28-year-old graphic designer from Mumbai, had always been proud of her sharp vision. Over several months, she noticed persistent flashes of light and a growing dark spot in the peripheral vision of her right eye, which she initially dismissed as screen fatigue. When the spot began to obscure her work, she visited an ophthalmologist. A detailed examination and ultrasound revealed a small choroidal melanoma, a type of eye cancer. Her doctor, Dr. Sharma, recommended a targeted radiation therapy called plaque brachytherapy to preserve the eye and vision. Diya was terrified, fearing blindness and the impact on her career. The procedure involved surgically attaching a radioactive disc to the outside of her eye for four days. The hospital stay was isolating and anxious. Recovery involved several weeks of blurred vision and sensitivity. Six months later, the tumor is controlled, and her central vision remains intact, though she has a permanent peripheral blind spot. Emotionally, she moved from sheer panic and grief over a potential loss to a profound gratitude for modern medicine. She now advocates for regular eye check-ups and has a renewed zest for her creative work.