Standard Treatment In some cases, it may be possible to destroy the tumor within the eye by using light treatments (photocoagulation), freezing (cryotherapy) or laser therapy. Treatment may include an enucleation, meaning that the eye is removed and eventually replaced with an artificial eye. Chemotherapy is under investigation and preliminary results are very encouraging. In a significant proportion of cases, the combination of local therapy (cryo- or phototherapy) may both save the eye and avoid radiotherapy . High-dose radiation also has a role, but because of its long-term effects it is avoided where possible.
Which of these procedures is used depends on the size of the tumor and whether the child has potentially useful vision.
Five-Year Survival Over 90 percent if disease is confined to the eye; less than 10 percent if it has spread beyond the eye.
