 Patients with choroidal melanomas who are offered ruthenium plaque radiotherapy have their plaque sutured to the sclera under general anaesthesia. The plaque is removed in a few days after delivering the required radioactive dosage to the tumour. While the plaque is in situ, patients require analgesia. The management of post-operative pain is generally not considered a high priority, more importance being given to the regression of the melanoma. 