First Pakistan National Eye Cancer Survey

Background: This is the report of first eye national eye cancer survey in Pakistan under the auspices of National Committee of Eye Health. Eye care institutions involved in eye cancer control were approached to provide the annual data on tumors of the eye. Methods: All major stakeholders involved in prevention and control of eye cancer were requested to provide information related to situation analysis of eye cancer services in the country through a questionnaire. Overall, 1705 eye tumors were reported annually. 51% were malignant and 49% were benign eye tumors. From each province of the country, where data was available, benign and malignant tumors were separately identified. Results: The data showed that about 877 cases of eye cancers were diagnosed in a year. 38% of these were eyelid cancers, 31% were intraocular tumors, 16 % were ocular surface tumors, while 15% were cancers of the orbit. KpK region had highest percentage of eyelid cancers (72%) followed by 14% of ocular surface tumors, 10% of intraocular tumors and 4% were cancers of the orbit. Sindh province had highest percentage of intraocular cancers (40%) followed by 31% of eyelid cancers, 19% of cancers of the orbit and 10% of ocular surface tumors. Like KpK, Punjab had highest proportion of eyelid malignancies (37%) followed by 29% intraocular cancers, 20% of ocular surface tumors and 14% of orbital malignancies. Conclusion: In terms of population, it is estimated that there are 4 cases of eye cancer per million population of Pakistan and an almost similar number of benign eye tumors. Thus, an estimated 8 cases of eye tumors per million population are examined annually.