Share with others! EyeMelanoma.org quickly gets you to the info & resources you need.
Share with others! EyeMelanoma.org quickly gets you to the info & resources you need.
If you are experiencing vision impairment from radiation treatment of your ocular melanoma tumor or from enucleation (surgical eye removal), vision rehabilitation services and other types of support and education are available.
In the first four sections of this page, you will find links to resources for ocular melanoma patients dealing with any vision impairment:
Then, the last two sections specifically provide links to:
From A Cure In Sight annual conferences:
Also: "Managing Activities of Daily Living with Low Vision" (Occupational Therapist Cori Layton; 2020 OM support group meeting; 55 minutes)
"Smartphone Apps and Resources for People with Vision Loss or Impairment"
This guide from SeniorLiving.org "explores a wealth of features and apps: Built-in Apple Accessibility, Built-in Android Accessibility, Standalone Apps for People with Poor Vision, and Smart Home Devices."
"Accessibility Support Phone Lines You Should Know"
OphthalmicEdge.org provides a list to get you started, explaining that "numerous companies now offer specialized support services for customers with vision loss. They are there to help you get the most out of their products and to ensure your devices are set right to accommodate your needs." Similar companies may also offer this assistance.
The national nonprofit Prevent Blindness provides a "comprehensive resource list for low vision aids and devices. We have curated a list of trusted suppliers who specialize in providing a wide range of low vision devices." Listings are alphabetized by the supplier's name.
"Low vision specialists are healthcare professionals with specialized training and expertise in evaluating and managing visual impairments that cannot be fully corrected with standard eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication, or surgery. Use The Vision Councils' Low Vision Provider Network to help you find qualified low vision providers in your area."
American Optometric Association's "Find a Doctor of Optometry" has a "Refine your Search" tool bar for 'Practice Services — Vision Rehabilitation' or 'Special Emphasis — Low Vision and Rehabilitative Vision.'
Note: These are not comprehensive directories but can help get you started.
Looking for support groups — online or local — focused on vision issues? The APHConnectCenter.org notes on its homepage that it provides an Information and Referral Helpline. "If you are looking for resources and services, one of our experienced representatives can provide free information on virtually any topic related to blindness and low vision. Call toll-free (800) 232-5463 weekdays." An online contact form is also provided. [Note: Prior to Fall 2025, an extensive directory of low vision support groups and providers had been maintained online by APH.]
The U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administration's Directory of State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies provides the phone number and website link for the agency in each state "that serves individuals who are blind or have visual impairments."
Visual hallucinations can be a POSSIBLE response to vision loss after ocular melanoma treatment. This section is provided so that you know what is happening if it occurs. Always report any changes in vision to your doctors.
CBS could occur due to radiation treatment of an eye tumor or after removal of an eye.
Video: "About CBS" (Low-Vision Specialist Rhiannon Verran; AMI Accessible Media; July 2021, 5 minutes)
Articles: "CBS Associated with Unilateral Vision Loss: A New Diagnostic Perspective" (Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, March 2025) and "What Is CBS?" (American Academy of Ophthalmology, Oct. 2024)
"Understanding Charles Bonnet Syndrome" Patient Guide
"Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) causes people with sight loss to see images that aren’t there. Medically, these are known as hallucinations. They are caused by sight loss and are not a sign that you have a mental health problem. The types of hallucinations people with CBS may experience fall into two main areas: 1) simple repeated patterns or shapes, such as grids, brickwork patterns, or colors; and 2) complex hallucinations of objects, such as people and landscapes. CBS hallucinations are silent and do not involve any of the other senses." (Patient Guide produced by RNIB.org and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists; June 2024)
Non-Profit Organizations Focused Specifically on CBS: Charles Bonnet Syndrome Foundation (Australia); Esme's Umbrella (UK); and Mary Carmel's Light (US)
"The Charles Bonnet Syndrome Podcast"
Hosted by patient advocate Shaimond Foye.
"Charles Bonnet Syndrome Online Support Group" — Free Meeting; Every Saturday (US)
(Group led by psychologist Gary Cusick. 65-minute interview of Dr. Cusick about CBS on The CBS Podcast, Dec. 2023.)
CNIB Foundation's Online "CBS Peer Support Group" — Free Meeting; Monthly (Canada)
• "Your Vision Prognosis in Uveal Melanoma" [After Plaque Brachytherapy]
(Dr. Arpita Maniar; Oct. 2025 A Cure In Sight Conference; first presenter on video; 30 minutes)
(Dr. Guy Negretti; Oct. 2024 Ocular Melanoma UK Conference; 25 minutes)
• "Ocular Melanoma Eye Cancer & Radiation Retinopathy: Game-Changing Treatments"
(Dr. Amy Schefler; Nov. 2024 presentation hosted by A Cure In Sight; 20 minutes)
• "What to Expect After Radiation for Uveal Melanoma"
(Dr. Ivana Kim; May 2024 CURE OM Symposium; 40 minutes; pre-set to 1:58:00 timestamp)
• Dr. Tara McCannel discusses "Side Effects of Ocular Radiation Treatment," "What is Radiation Retinopathy?," "How Do You Treat Radiation Retinopathy?," "White Lights & Flashing After Ocular Melanoma [Radiation] Treatment," and "Living with Decreased Vision After Ocular Melanoma [Radiation] Treatment." In addition to these episodes, there are more topics about radiation treatments and post-radiation issues at her Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma Podcast (10–25 minutes; above episodes from 2024).
"All About Enucleation [Due to Ocular Melanoma]" (March 2024; 20 minutes) and "How to Stay Engaged with Ocular Melanoma [Monitoring] After Enucleation" (Feb. 2025; 10 minutes) (Dr. Tara McCannel, Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma Podcast episodes)
"Understanding Prosthetic Eye Side Effects After Enucleation for Ocular Melanoma"
(Dr. Lisa Mihora and Ocularist Starla Allen; Oct. 2024 A Cure In Sight conference; 45-minute video)
Ocular Melanoma Foundation's Prosthetic Assistance Grant Program "has provided many grants for individuals [in the U.S.] with evidence of financial hardship for OM-related, doctor-prescribed ocular and facial prosthetics."
"Introduction to Artificial Eyes"
(Ocularist Angela Reinhardt; April 2025 CURE OM Symposium; 25-minute video)
"Artificial Eyes in the Rehabilitation of Ocular Melanoma Patients"
(Ocularist Jenny Geelen; June 2024 AOMA Summit; 20-minute video)
"Ocular Prosthetics 101: Design and Care"
(Ocularists Todd Cranmore and Tawnya Cranmore; Sept. 2023 A Cure in Sight Conference; 65-minute video)
(Ocularist Starla Hadlock-Allen; June 2023 A Cure in Sight interview; 55-minute video)
Click on these Facebook links for each group's information on joining.
Support group created in 2007.
Support group created in 2008.
"One Eye Fun And Support Group"
Support group created in 2014.
"An ocularist is a thoroughly trained professional skilled in the art of fitting, painting, and fabricating custom ocular prostheses [artificial eyes]"
American Society of Ocularists provides a list of Ocularists in the USA and other countries.
National Examining Board of Ocularists provides a list of all board-certified Ocularists in the USA and other countries.
"An Anaplastologist is a specialist in the design and fabrication of realistic and functional facial, body, and ocular prostheses [artificial eyes]."
Board for Certification in Clinical Anaplastology provides a list of all board-certified Clinical Anaplastologists in the USA.
International Anaplastology Association provides a list of anaplastologists in the USA and other countries.
New information added to this webpage: January 4, 2026
All content and links to external sites re-verified on this webpage: August 1, 2025
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Focus Area: Ocular Melanoma Eye Cancer — Both Uveal Melanoma and Conjunctival Melanoma.
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