Eyeshield For Radiotherapy

n
The Leeds
Teaching Hospitals
NHS Trust
Internal eye shield

for radiotherapy
treatment
Information for patients
This leaflet aims to help you and your
family understand why your doctor has
recommended an internal eye shield for your
radiotherapy treatment.
External beam radiotherapy is a type of treatment that uses
powerful X-rays to treat cancer and some non-cancerous
conditions. If the treatment is delivered very close to the eye
this can cause a cataract to develop. Cataracts can reduce your
ability to see clearly. They can be treated with a relatively
simple operation but it is always better to prevent a cataract if
possible. The internal eye shield is used to protect the lens of
the eye from the radiotherapy, which will prevent you getting
a cataract. It is not suitable for all treatments but your doctor
will discuss it with you if it might help you.
The eye shield

The eye shield is shaped like a
small, shallow bowl. It is made
of metal to protect your eye
and has a ceramic coating.
The eye shield is placed
underneath your eyelids. It has
a small handle to help with
positioning it.
Before having the eye shield
placed your doctor will arrange for a prescription of the
lubricating drops and some local anaesthetic drops.
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Preparing your eye shield
There are different sizes of
eye shield that are used. Your
radiographer will determine which
size is the best fit for you.
Your radiographer or doctor will
undertake a strict cleaning process
to make sure the eye shield is
sterile before it is inserted into
your eye. This may be done in
front of you but will often be done
before you are taken into the
treatment room.
Your radiographer or doctor will
apply a small amount of lubricant
to the eye shield to help make it easier to place under your
eyelids.
Preparing your eye

The radiographer
or doctor
inserting the eye
shield will numb
your eye using the
local anaesthetic
eye drops. This
can sting a little
as the eye drops
are inserted.
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It will take about a minute for the drops to work.
To make sure that the anaesthetic has worked your
radiographer or doctor will very gently touch your eye with a
sterile fabric pad. You shouldn’t be able to feel this. This will
be done before inserting the eye shield. You may also have a
small contact lens placed in your eye before the eye shield.
Inserting the eye shield

You will be asked to lie down for the eye shield to be inserted.
Your radiographer or doctor will then ask you to look up and
then down while they insert the eye shield.
Sometimes it is necessary for your radiographer or doctor to

move your eyelids to get the eye shield to sit comfortably.
It may feel strange or uncomfortable, but it should not hurt
because of the anaesthetic. Sometimes your radiographer or
doctor may need to position it more than once to get the best
fit.
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The eye shield is inserted immediately before your treatment
as part of your appointment.
During and after treatment

The eye shield will be in position for the few minutes it takes
to deliver your treatment. You will need it in position for
every treatment you have been prescribed that is close to your
eye.
Once each treatment is
completed the eye shield
will be removed. Your
radiographer or doctor may
ask you to look up or down
again to make removing
the eye shield easier.
You will need to wear an
eye patch for four hours
after your treatment is completed.
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This is to stop any dirt getting into your eye and causing
damage, as you will not be able to feel it.
Having the eye patch means you will not be able to drive
yourself home after your treatment each day. Once the eye
patch has been removed you are free to drive again.
Side-effects
It can be uncomfortable having the eye shield put in place but
it should not be painful.
Having something in your eye increases the risk of causing an
infection. We try very hard to avoid this by making sure the
eye shield is carefully cleaned before each use. If you notice
that your eye is becoming sticky or sore, or that you have
developed a discharge from it, you should ask to see a doctor
in the radiotherapy department. Sometimes this soreness can
be due to the treatment but if there is infection present your
doctor will prescribe antibiotic eye drops.
If you need to speak to a member of our team, please call the

radiotherapy reception on (0113) 206 8940.
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Your views matter
The printing of this leaflet has been

funded by Leeds Hospitals Charity
leedshospitalscharity.org.uk charity number: 1170369
© The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust • 1st edition (Ver 1) LN005397
Publication date
Developed by: Curtis Parker-Milnes Advanced Practitioner Therapeutic
07/2022
Radiographer
Review date
Produced by: Medical Illustration Services • MID code: 20220719_005/JG
07/2024

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n

Internal eye shield

The eye shield

Preparing your eye

Inserting the eye shield

Sometimes it is necessary for your radiographer or doctor to

During and after treatment

If you need to speak to a member of our team, please call the

The printing of this leaflet has been

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