Preliminary Survey Report of Eye Cancers in Pakistan.

Objective: To estimate the magnitude of eye cancer and its annual frequency, extrapolated from major eye care centres of the country.

Study design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Data were obtained from ten dedicated eye care institutions of three provinces of Pakistan, from January to December 2022.

Methodology: This is the report of the first eye cancer survey in Pakistan under the auspices of the National Committee of Eye Health. Eye care institutions, along with major stakeholders involved in the prevention and control of eye cancer, were requested to provide the annual data on tumours of the eye as well as information related to the situation analysis of eye cancer services.

Results: The number of eye tumours reported in one year was 1705; 51% were malignant and 49% were benign. Eight hundred and seventy-seven cases of eye cancers were diagnosed in a year; 38% were eyelid cancers, 31% were intraocular tumours, and 16% were ocular surface tumours, while 15% were cancers of the orbit. KPK had the highest percentage of eyelid cancers (72%), and Sindh had the highest percentage of intraocular cancers (40%).

Conclusion: It is estimated that there are 4 cases of eye cancer per million population of Pakistan and an almost similar number of benign eye tumours. Thus, it is estimated that 8 cases of eye tumours per million population are examined annually. Cost and lack of facilities were found to be major limitations towards eye cancer control.

Key words: Eye malignancies, Eye surveys, Pakistan, Ophthalmology, Tumours of eye.