A little girl was diagnosed with a rare cancer after her mum spotted a small change in her eye. Elise Seal, 25, noticed that her daughter Esmae’s eye had changed from its usual green and brown colour to a dark brown. They were on holiday at the time, and upon returning to the UK, Elise saw that Esmae’s eye had a white “glow”. She took her to the optician, where tests discovered that Esmae, now five, had retinoblastoma – a rare type of eye cancer that can affect young children.
Esmae had to have her eye removed, known as an enucleation, and then underwent six rounds of chemotherapy. Elise described her daughter as a “sassy little princess”, noting that despite her ordeal, Esmae is outgoing and amazing. Elise and her partner Callum were devastated upon receiving the diagnosis, unsure of what the future held for their daughter.
The journey began when Elise noticed a change in Esmae’s eye while they were on holiday in Spain. What initially seemed like a slight colour change was soon identified as a serious condition. Esmae underwent an enucleation to remove her eye after being diagnosed with retinoblastoma at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The discovery of cancer cells in her optic nerve led to further treatment, including intensive chemotherapy.
Following six rounds of chemotherapy and a significant surgery, Esmae has shown resilience and strength as she recovers. Elise expressed immense pride in her daughter, who has now started school full-time and is back to enjoying childhood activities. Regular MRI scans are part of Esmae’s follow-up care to ensure her continued wellbeing.
Discussing the rarity of retinoblastoma, Richard Ashton, chief executive of CHECT, emphasized the importance of recognising subtle symptoms to facilitate early intervention. The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust advises prompt medical attention for any concerns regarding retinoblastoma. Esmae’s story serves as a reminder of the resilience of young children facing medical challenges, supported by the dedication of their families and medical teams.