Riley Thompson (far left), dad Sam (second left), mom Nicole (second right), sister Isla (far right. (Brain Tumour Research via SWNS) A five-year-old lost an eye after a routine test found a "golf ball-sized" tumor. Riley Thompson was diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma after a routine preschool eye test revealed a golf-ball-sized cancerous tumor pressing against his eye.
The diagnosis came in February, with an emergency surgery taking place in May to remove the tumor. Due to the tumor's size and positioning, surgeons were forced to remove his eye - but Riley from Renfrewshire in Scotland is recovering well and is tumor-free. Mom Nicole, said: "I noticed a regular squint which led to Riley’s eyes getting checked out by an optometrist at pre-school, then by a series of doctors at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
''Although I’m a nurse, I had no idea he was blind in his right eye, let alone that it was due to something more dangerous. "I see him every day, so I didn’t notice any real change and he never said anything or complained about his sight. “My heart stopped when I saw a golf ball-sized lump just behind Riley’s eyeball – instantly I knew it must be a tumor.
" Riley Thompson before his diagnosis. (Brain Tumour Research via SWNS) Despite experiencing several complications after surgery, including a spinal fluid leak from his removed eye socket, Riley has remained resilient. Riley started primary school in September, and has been enjoying playing Lego.