Sharjah, Dubai – A routine eye examination saved the sight of a 57-year-old Filipina resident of Sharjah after doctors discovered a large tumor in her right eye orbit. The woman, who had been experiencing vision loss and discomfort around her eye for a month, was referred to an Oculoplasty and Orbit Surgery specialist at Medcare Hospital Sharjah, where a tumor larger than her eyeball was found and successfully removed in a complex surgery.
The patient initially consulted an ophthalmologist who noticed that her right eye protruded more than her left. After a series of diagnostic tests, including MRI and CT scans, the medical team identified a 35x30mm tumor, diagnosed as a cavernous hemangioma, a benign vascular tumor. Despite being non-cancerous, the tumor was compressing the optic nerve, putting the patient at risk of permanent vision loss.
Dr. Fairooz P.M., the Oculoplastic Surgeon and Eye Cancer specialist who led the surgical team, emphasized the complexity of the operation. “The tumor was pressing on the optic nerve, causing vision loss, and the surgery required extreme precision to protect the nerve and restore the patient’s sight.”
The surgery involved a minimally invasive approach to remove the tumor from behind the eye. Despite the risks, the operation was a success, and the patient’s vision was fully restored. Dr. Fairooz noted that this case was one of the most challenging of her career due to the size and location of the tumor.
“This was a high-risk case,” said Dr. Fairooz. “The tumor was larger than the patient’s eyeball and growing near critical structures like the optic nerve, making the surgery delicate and urgent.”
Cavernous hemangioma is one of the most common benign tumors found in the eye orbit, typically growing slowly. However, when located near the optic nerve, it can lead to serious complications, including blindness.
Dr. Fairooz praised the collaborative efforts of the Medcare Hospital team in achieving a successful outcome. “The multidisciplinary approach, combining the expertise of surgeons, radiologists, and advanced imaging techniques, was key to the patient’s recovery.”
The procedure is believed to be the first of its kind performed at Medcare Hospital Sharjah, marking a significant achievement for the Oculoplasty and Orbit Surgery department.
The patient has made a full recovery, and Dr. Fairooz expressed gratitude for the team’s work in preventing further vision loss, stating, “We are delighted with the patient’s response to the surgery and the positive outcome.”
This successful surgery underscores Medcare Hospital’s growing reputation for handling complex medical cases and highlights the importance of timely diagnosis and intervention in preventing vision-threatening conditions.