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Eye cancer - been referred to specialist eye hospital for more tests. So worried about the outcome

Helen-home
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Hi. I'm 65 and just had an eye check up at boots. Was referred to local eye hospital on Friday for more investigation. 

After a thorough exam and photos being taken and I think a scan by a machine ( not a photo) I was told I had some vitreous gel tear and a little bleeding and an area of pigmentation behind my eye. Then sent home with them saying I would be referred to a London eye hospital for more tests etc. 

I've been panicking all weekend and today because I'm convinced it's eye cancer, or a brain tumour grown into the eye. 

Has anyone else had a similar thing happen and if so did you have to wait ages for tests, treatment etc

So worried I can't get on with anything while trying to care for my 93 yr old mum as well 

  • Hello Helen-home and welcome to the forum.

    I'm sorry to hear what was found during your exam at your local eye hospital and for the worry this is causing.

    I know how scary and stressful this must be, especially when you are trying to care for your mum, but if you can try not to panic or assume the worst until you know more. Much easier said than done, I know, but I hope some of the tips and advice we have in this guide on how to cope with waiting for news will help to ease your worries until your next appointment. 

    Hopefully some of our members who have been through something similar will offer their support and advice to you soon but if it would help to talk things through with one of our cancer nurses, you can give them a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m. They're very well informed and will do all they can to answer your questions and give you the peace of mind you are seeking at this time.

    We're sending you all our support Helen, and wishing you all the best with your appointment in London.

    All the best,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Helen-home

    Dear Helen,

      Last October I had a vitreous gel tear. I saw an opthmologist and he was easily able to repair it in a few minutes with a laser . There are also alot of other methods to repair a tear. as for the pigmentation that also may not be anywhere near as serious as you think it is. As a person gets older they develop some eye related problems. that go throough stages and respond to different medications and procedures. Main emphasis is on getting to a good opthamologist as quickly as possible. I really believe the situation you describe is very workable and not a tumor etc. 

  • Offline in reply to BELLAFELICE

    Hi thanks for your reply. I do have some kind of tumour but until I get to the hospital I won't know if it's benign or not. The waiting is horrible. He thinks it's a retinal tumour benign but can't confirm 

  • Offline in reply to Helen-home

    Hi, I was wondering if you had got to the bottom of your eye problem. I hope it has worked out well for you.  I just wanted to say that for the last year I have been having treatment for Primary Vitreal Lymphoma or PVRL for short and sometimes PIOL Primary Intraocular Lymphoma. It’s a very rare subtype of a rare CNS lymphoma. I have had intravenous chemotherapy, radiotherapy and am now having chemotherapy directly into my left eye which had become refractory. Been through the mill really so have plenty of experience to pass on to anyone who needs it.

  • Offline in reply to Matiamou

    Hi. Sorry to hear all you've been going through. I had scans etc and they don't think it's cancer which I'm so relieved about. Something to do with vitreous haemorrhage. Thanks for asking

    I have repeat scans early December so fingers crossed it stays positive 

  • Offline in reply to Helen-home

    That’s a relief for you!   When I started on all this I had no idea of how many things could go wrong with eyes.  Fortunately most of them are fixable so I hope yours will be too. I was really squeamish about the thought of having anything done to my eyes but although it’s not pleasant nothing has been quite as bad as I feared. All the very best I’ll be thinking of you.

  • Offline in reply to Matiamou

    Me too one health issue I always thought would be a real problem with someone doing things or going near my eyes. Fear of the unknown makes everything worse. 

    Hope you get sorted and thanks for your messages

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