Eye cancer resources and organisations

A UK charity for families and people affected by retinoblastoma. It offers support and information, funds research and raises public awareness of this rare cancer.

The Royal London Hospital Whitechapel Road London E1 1BB

Tel: 020 7377 5578 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) Email: info@chect.org.uk

Visit the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust website

A UK support charity for people with ocular melanoma.

PO Box 6136 Slough SL3 3LU

Helpline: 0300 790 0512 (Monday to Friday 10am to 7pm) Email: helpline@omuk.org

Visit the OCuMel website

Macmillan Cancer Support is a charity that gives practical and medical support to people with cancer in the UK. Its helpline offers support with clinical, emotional, general and welfare benefits needs. They also publish booklets about cancer and treatments. Information is available in other languages.

Freephone: 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week, 8am to 8pm) Contact email form

Visit the Macmillan Cancer Support website

The Melanoma Focus Helpline is a confidential service for anyone in the UK who has a question about any aspect of melanoma.

The helpline is staffed by nurses and is open: 1-2pm and 7-9pm Monday to Friday, and 7-9pm on Sunday.

Helpline: 0808 801 0777

Visit the Melanoma Focus website

The Guide dogs website provides information about guide dogs, mobility and other rehabilitation services that meet the needs of blind and partially sighted people.

Visit the Guide Dogs website

LOOK supports visually impaired young people to thrive. They are the leading mentoring organisation in the UK for visually impaired young people.

Visit the LOOK website

Lost eye is an American website and discussion forum. It is a completely free, noncommercial website for the information and support of people who have recently lost an eye, or who may lose an eye due to surgery, injury or disease. You can get help, support and tips from people who have adjusted to losing an eye. As it is an American site some of the issues are not relevant to the UK.

Visit the Lost Eye website

The Macular Society is a self help society for people with eye conditions called Macular Disease. They are dedicated to providing information and practical support to help people with poor vision make the most of their remaining sight.

Visit the Macular Society website

221 Bristol Avenue Blackpool FY2 0BF England

Helpline: 01253 951131 Website: www.naes.nhs.uk Contact form

The National Artificial Eye Service is part of the NHS. They supply and fit artificial eyes, as well as checking the artificial eyes for people who wear one. Their website includes information about how your artificial eye is fitted and caring for your eye afterwards. They also have a helpline.

Visit the National Artificial Eye Service website

The RNIB is the UK’s leading charity offering information, support and advice to people with sight problems. They have detailed information to help anyone with a sight problem. Services include Braille, Talking Book and computer training, and imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges. They also run a national library service providing books and information services for visually impaired people.

Visit the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) website

RNIB Newsagent

RNIB Newsagent has more than 200 national newspapers and magazines for visually impaired and disabled people. They offer subscribers a choice of formats including CD's, USB sticks and digital downloads through their website.

Visit the RNIB Newsagent website

TAVIP (Technology Association of Visually Impaired people) is a charity registered in Scotland that provides services and welcomes members from the whole of the UK. TAVIP promotes, supports and encourages the use of technology amongst blind and partially sighted people.

Visit the Technology Association of Visually Impaired people

Changing Faces provide support and information for people who have any form of facial disfigurement including disfigurement caused by cancer. They also provide a skin camouflage service for people in England and Scotland. Trained volunteers teach people how to apply specialist cover creams.

Phone: 0300 0120 275 (support and advice line) Head office email: info@changingfaces.org.uk

The contact details for the skin camouflage service are:

Phone: 0300 0120 276 Email: skincam@changingfaces.org.uk

Visit the Changing Faces website

This UK organisation for people with facial disfigurement offers: 

• telephone support

• a service to link up people in similar situations

• dietary and medical advice

• social activities

• resources and a newsletter

Email: sandra.smith@lets-face-it.org.uk

Visit the Let's Face It website

Saving Faces is funding education and research to improve medical treatment and support for people after facial surgery.

Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone who has been in a similar situation. Saving Faces can put you in touch with other people who have had facial surgery.

Phone: 020 3417 7757 Email: info@savingfaces.co.uk

Visit the Saving Faces website