Bronte Richards, 32, noticed it when she accidentally took a photo with the flash on
A mum has described how she ‘fell to the floor’ when doctors told her of her little girl’s devastating diagnosis. Her daughter’s rare form of cancer was found after she spotted an unusual glow in her eye while accidentally capturing a photograph with the camera flash activated.
Bronte Richards, 32, observed a white glow in her eight-month-old daughter Raye’s right eye, though she initially attributed it to the lighting conditions. Whilst Raye was enjoying bath time with her brother, Dawson, nine, Bronte photographed them both and the flash inadvertently went off, once again revealing the glow in Raye’s eye. Following a visit to the local optician, who detected something abnormal, Raye was referred to the emergency eye clinic.
The youngster was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma – cancer affecting both eyes – at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital after undergoing additional eye examinations. Raye has since completed six months of chemotherapy to reduce the tumours and is currently receiving laser therapy to manage the cancer.
Bronte, a stay-at-home mum from Llanhilleth, Wales, said: “When the doctor told me that Raye had cancer, I was shocked. I had prepared myself for her to be fine after I was told she was OK.
“I immediately thought she was going to die, he said the tumour was so big that it covered her whole right eye. I was thinking that Raye would need to get her eye removed. I just didn’t know why any of this was happening.”
Bronte first noticed a white glow in Raye’s right eye while she was seated in her high chair, but dismissed it as being caused by the kitchen lighting. However, several weeks later she observed it once more.
“It wasn’t until a few weeks later, at eight months old, I took a picture of Raye and my son in the bath playing, and the flash accidentally went off,” Bronte said. “I looked at the picture, and her right eye was glowing white. Her other eye was red from the flash, and so was my son’s. On December 19, 2024, I investigated it, and something didn’t sit right with me, as everything seemed to relate to eye cancer.”
Bronte rang her local GP, who reassured her there was no cause for concern. Unconvinced, Bronte visited her local optician and expressed her fears that Raye might have eye cancer.
Bronte said: “I explained my concerns and Raye was seen within an hour. When the light was flashed into her right eye, she didn’t flinch, but when flashed in her left eye, she reacted.
“They said they would refer her to the emergency eye clinic, but, being so close to Christmas, she would be seen after Christmas. I left knowing I had to make Christmas special for my baby and my eight-year-old, with a daunting feeling of what was to come for our family.”
On January 2, 2025, Raye underwent eye dilation at Royal Gwent Hospital, where an eye specialist informed Bronte there was nothing to be concerned about and diagnosed Raye with a stretched retina. The specialist advised Bronte to return a week later for an eye examination as Raye might require glasses. However, she was subsequently told Raye had retinoblastoma.
Bronte said: “We were sent to the senior eye doctor at the Royal Gwent. He did an in-depth examination and said, ‘I’m so sorry, Raye has retinoblastoma, her tumours look aggressive’.
“I remember just falling to the floor, holding my baby. I was shouting ‘No, No, No, you are wrong! We were told last week it was nothing’. Our whole world had been turned upside down.”
Raye was then moved to Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, where the diagnosis of bilateral retinoblastoma was confirmed. Raye embarked on a six-month course of chemotherapy and monthly laser therapy.
Bronte explained: “Chemotherapy was the best option for now, alongside laser therapy. We were told Raye would have a central line fitted, called a Hickman line, to administer chemotherapy.
“Raye had chemotherapy every month and, as soon as she received it, she would be admitted with a temperature. She had many line infections, line repairs and two new lines fitted. Her last chemotherapy was in June 2025.”
While Raye’s tumours can’t be surgically removed, she continues to receive monthly laser therapy to control the tumours. She will be closely monitored by specialists until she turns five and will remain under the care of the retinoblastoma team until she is 16.
Bronte added: “Raye is doing amazing now. She responded so well to chemotherapy. She has little to no activity in her tumours, but they are being treated with laser therapy.
“It was a very long six months of chemotherapy, with hardly any time at home and juggling both my children. She is navigating life with just one working eye and you can tell because she is reaching all her milestones.”
Richard Ashton, chief executive of CHECT, said: “Raye’s story shows the importance of retinoblastoma awareness among health professionals. We are grateful that Raye’s diagnosis was confirmed and that she was able to receive treatment.
“If you’re worried that a child you know may have retinoblastoma, please take them to a GP or optician as soon as possible. You can also contact the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust support team at [email protected] – they can provide information to take to your appointment.”
