Doctors Remove 285g Eye Tumour from Newborn in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: (Staff Reporter) – Doctors at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital have successfully removed a rare 285-gram congenital eye tumour from a three-day-old newborn, marking what the hospital says is the first successful treatment of its kind in Pakistan.

The infant, from Jhelum, was brought to the hospital shortly after birth after a rapidly growing tumour developed in one eye. Doctors said the condition posed a serious threat to the baby’s life, making immediate surgery essential.

The complex procedure was carried out by a team of specialists, including Dr. Tayyab Afghani, Dr. Faizan Tahir, Dr. Ali Raza Syed, and Dr. Ayman.

According to the medical team, a healthy newborn’s eye normally weighs around three grams, while the tumour removed from the infant weighed an extraordinary 285 grams.

Dr. Tayyab Afghani said the operation was successful and the newborn is recovering well. He added that preparations are underway to fit the child with an artificial eye, enabling the baby to lead a normal life.

Al-Shifa Trust highlighted that its specialised children’s eye hospital in Rawalpindi is equipped to handle complex paediatric eye conditions. Doctors noted that congenital eye tumours are extremely rare but can grow rapidly and become life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated promptly.

Medical experts urged parents and healthcare providers to seek immediate specialist care if newborns show unusual eye swelling or abnormal growth, stressing that early diagnosis and timely surgical intervention significantly improve treatment outcomes.