ISLE OF WIGHT MUM SPOTTED SON’S CANCER IN HIS EYE AS HE PLAYED WITH TOYS

A local mum is urging other parents to look out for the tell-tale signs of eye cancer this World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week, after 5-year-old Arlo Brimson was diagnosed with retinoblastoma – a rare eye cancer. Mum Megan spotted an unusual glow in her son Arlo’s eye in August 2023.  The next day, Arlo’s auntie noticed that his eye had gone completely white whilst playing in the sunlight. Megan takes up the story:

“I was pregnant at the time and had my health visitor coming that week so I thought I would ask her advice and she said to take him straight to the hospital. Arlo had just turned five. “We took Arlo to St Mary’s Hospital where he had all the routine eye tests and then he was taken for more tests; at this point we knew there was something wrong. The doctor told us there was a very large mass at the back of Arlo’s eye, he then called another doctor out of surgery to have a look at the photos. This doctor was from Moorfields Eye Hospital, he didn’t confirm to us that it was cancer, but he made the referral up to the Royal London Hospital.”

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) says that typical signs of retinoblastoma include a white glow which may only appear in certain lights or a squint, as well as a change in the appearance of the eye or a swollen eye, although often only one sign or symptom is present. Arlo travelled from the Island to the Royal London Hospital for assessment. He was put under general anaesthetic and had both of his eyes checked. It was whilst Arlo was in recovery that doctors confirmed to Megan and her husband that Arlo had retinoblastoma – and that he wasn’t able to see out of his right eye and wouldn’t have been able to for some time. The tumour was so large they needed to perform an enucleation – a removal of the eye, as this was the safest option. Within the same month as being diagnosed, Arlo had his eye removed. Megan recalls:

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“On the 23 August 2023 Arlo had his enucleation and as the tumour was so large, he did need to have four rounds of chemotherapy. He started the chemotherapy on the 21 September (four days after his baby sister was born) in Southampton hospital. “After Arlo’s operation he was so strong, he took it in his stride; he was using his hand a lot to feel things and to play with his brother, we made sure we got him lots of toys he could fiddle with, just while he was healing. The days after surgery, Arlo’s working eye was very swollen. “He really struggled the most with his central line, he wasn’t a fan of letting anyone see it and the chemotherapy was really hard on him, he was very sick, but he took it in his stride. Arlo didn’t lose any of his hair. Watching him go through the chemotherapy for me was very hard; I wasn’t able to be at appointments with him as I had just had a baby so my husband took on all the appointments with Arlo.”

Arlo, who turns 6 in May, has recovered well. He is now back at school full time and is loving it! He is cleaning his eye himself and has just had moulding done for his prosthetic eye. The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) are urging parents and healthcare professionals to be aware of the most common possible symptoms of eye cancer – a white glow in the eye in flash photo or in certain light, and a squint. Richard Ashton, Chief Executive of CHECT said:

“Retinoblastoma is rare, with around one baby or young child being diagnosed in the UK each week. Symptoms can be quite subtle, and children often seem well in themselves which can make it hard to diagnose. In just under half of all cases, a child must have an eye removed as part of their treatment.” “We are grateful that in Arlo’s case, his symptoms were recognised so that he could receive treatment. If you are worried that a child you know may have retinoblastoma, please get them seen by a GP or optician ASAP. Contact the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust support team at [email protected] and they will provide you with information to take along to your appointment”.