RAWALPINDI, July 21 (ABC): Doctors at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital have successfully performed a rare, life-saving surgery on a three-day-old newborn suffering from an aggressive congenital eye tumor, marking what the hospital says is Pakistan’s first documented case involving a 285-gram eye tumor in a newborn.
The infant, from a village in Jhelum district, was brought to the hospital shortly after birth with a rapidly growing tumor affecting one eye. Following an emergency assessment, specialists concluded that immediate surgery was essential to prevent the disease from causing further life-threatening complications.
The operation was performed by a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr. Tayyab Afghani, Dr. Faizan Tahir, Dr. Ali Raza Syed and Dr. Aiman, assisted by anesthetists, nurses and other clinical staff.
Due to the advanced stage of the disease, surgeons removed the affected eye to completely excise the tumor and save the infant’s life.
Doctors said a normal newborn eyeball weighs about three grams, while the tumor removed from the infant weighed 285 grams — nearly 95 times the normal weight of a newborn eyeball.
According to the treating team, the case is believed to be the first documented instance in Pakistan of a 285-gram congenital eye tumor being successfully treated in a three-day-old infant.
Dr. Tayyab Afghani said the surgery was successful and the baby was recovering well under close medical supervision. He said the infant’s condition had stabilized and doctors were satisfied with the post-operative progress.
He said congenital eye tumors in newborns are rare but can progress rapidly if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Early referral to a specialized eye care facility can significantly improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of serious complications, he added.
Dr. Afghani commended the infant’s parents for seeking medical attention without delay, saying their timely decision enabled doctors to intervene before the disease advanced further.
He urged parents to seek immediate medical care if a newborn develops an unusually enlarged eye, persistent swelling, an abnormal eye appearance or any other unusual changes around the eye, stressing that early diagnosis can be critical.
The doctor said the child would continue to receive regular follow-up care to ensure proper healing. Once recovery is complete, the hospital plans to fit the infant with a custom-made artificial eye to promote normal facial growth, improve appearance and support healthy development.
The hospital said the case underscores the importance of specialized pediatric eye care and timely intervention in managing rare congenital eye conditions, particularly during the first days of life when prompt treatment can be lifesaving.
