Omar’s parents first noticed a white glow in his left eye in family photos. The diagnosis was group D retinoblastoma, and the recommendation at home was enucleation — removal of the eye.
Through MedBridge, the family consulted a Shanghai team running a superselective intra-arterial chemotherapy program. The answer was different: “We believe we can save the eye.”
Over four months, Omar made three short trips to Shanghai. In each session, an interventional neuroradiologist guided a microcatheter from a tiny groin puncture up to the ophthalmic artery, delivering chemotherapy directly into the eye — with almost no systemic side effects. Omar was playing with his cars the same evening.
Focal laser therapy cleaned up the remaining seeds. The retinoblastoma team scheduled surveillance EUAs (exams under anesthesia) and trained the family to spot warning signs.
Outcome
Tumor regressed completely; eye preserved with useful vision. Surveillance continues at 6-month intervals.
“Every doctor told us to remove the eye. One team said: let us try to save it. They did. — Omar’s father”
All stories are anonymized composites based on real treatment journeys, shared with family consent. Names are pseudonyms and identifying details have been changed.
