What You Need to Know About Eye Cancer
Chances are, you’ve never heard of eye cancer. That’s because it’s an incredibly rare form of cancer. However, this disease is no less serious than other types of cancer, as it can cause vision loss and at times be fatal if discovered too late. So if you experience any sudden changes in your vision or feel eye discomfort, we urge you to seek prompt medical attention to detect or rule out eye cancer. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the outcome.
To book your appointment, contact . Our LOCATION1 eye doctors will perform a thorough eye exam and determine the cause of your symptoms. If the ophthalmologist concludes that the vision changes are caused by eye cancer, he or she will suggest the type of treatment that is right for you and a program of ongoing care that will assist in your recovery.
Types of Eye Cancer
Certain types of cancer may metastasize all the way to the eye and affect the eye directly. However, below we list only the forms of cancer that originate in the eye or eyelid.
Ocular Melanoma
While the word “melanoma” is often linked to skin cancer, melanoma can also affect the eyes.
Melanoma develops in the uvea or conjunctiva part of the eye and is the most common type of eye cancer among adults. By booking an eye exam early on, your eye doctor can detect the signs and offer immediate treatment to help you preserve your vision and health.
Retinoblastoma
Retinoblastoma makes up 2% of all childhood cancers. This disease occurs when the young cells in the retina (retinoblasts) grow excessively, forming a tumor on the retina. Retinoblastoma can metastasize and spread to other organs. Therefore, the sooner it’s detected, the higher the chances of preventing such an occurrence.
This type of eye cancer tends to run in families. If one parent has had retinoblastoma, the likelihood that the kid(s) will develop it increases by up to 50%. This is why children who have a family history of retinoblastoma should be screened for this condition on a regular basis.
Primary Intraocular Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a condition that attacks the white blood cells that support the immune system. While lymphoma can affect any part of the body, primary intraocular lymphoma develops within the eye. Though less common than ocular melanoma, primary intraocular lymphoma tends to occur in elderly patients and in those with HIV.
Orbital and Adnexal Cancers
These cancers attack different parts of the eye. Orbital cancers target tissues in the orbit area, which surrounds the eyeball. Whereas adnexal cancers affect the eyelids and the tear glands.
Ocular Metastases
Metastatic cancer spreads from one part of the body to other organs through the bloodstream. Ocular metastases tend to develop in the choroid, the section between the retina and the sclera. That’s because that region has many blood vessels and can easily pick up cancer cells circulating in the blood.
Eye Cancer Symptoms
Some cancers, like ocular melanoma, may show no obvious symptoms and are usually only discovered through a comprehensive eye exam. However, other types of eye cancer may show the following symptoms:
- Vision problems, such as foggy vision or sudden vision loss
- Floaters, which are squiggly lines across the field of vision
- Flashes of light
- Dark spots on the iris.
- The pupil may become larger or misshapen
- Eyes may move out of position or bulge
- Change in the appearance or inflammation of the eyelid
What Tests Are Done to Check for Eye Cancer?
To help detect eye cancer, your eye doctor will perform a series of diagnostic tests. The type of test will depend on the age of the patient, the type of cancer, symptoms and the results of previous tests.
The ophthalmologist may perform one or several of the following:
- OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) – a non-invasive imaging technique that uses light waves to create full color 3D images of the cross-section of the retina.
- Ophthalmoscope – a high-powered microscope to view the structures inside the eye.
- Ultrasound – an imaging technology that uses high-frequency sound waves to view the structures within the eye.
- Fluorescein angiography – a series of live images of the vessels in the eye facilitated by injecting a fluorescent dye.
- CT scan – a more complex and sophisticated X-ray device that creates 3-dimensional images of the eye.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – an imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the eye organs and tissues.
Can Eye Cancer Be Cured?
Yes, in many cases it can be cured. Patients diagnosed with eye cancer can turn to a variety of treatment options. The eye doctor will recommend the optimal treatment based on the patient’s physical condition and severity, and the type of eye cancer. Below is a list of treatments and therapies your LOCATION1 ophthalmologist may suggest.
Radiation Therapy
Powerful X-rays used in radiation therapy can kill cancerous cells. Since the rays can also potentially damage eyesight, innovations in radiation therapy involve targeting specific cancer cells through plaque therapy, which uses a small disk of radioactive material to directly attack cancer cells. Proton and radiation beams can also focus only on the affected cells and leave healthy cells alone.
Eye Surgery
The eye surgeon may remove the tumor through surgery, and in some cases, even a part of the eye—such as a section of the iris. In more severe cases, the entire eyeball may need to be removed and replaced with a prosthetic eye.
Laser Therapy
The laser uses heat and infrared light to focus on cancerous cells. It is often used for benign melanoma in the eye.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy delivers cancer-killing medicine throughout the bloodstream and it is the most effective treatment option for cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.
Immunotherapy
This type of therapy prompts the immune system to attack cancer cells. Some clinical trials have shown the effectiveness of immunotherapy for treating skin melanomas, but more research is needed to determine whether it can treat eye melanoma.
Eye Cancer Recovery in LOCATION1
Following eye cancer treatment, patients with eye cancer need to have regular follow-up eye exams to deal with any after-effects and to carefully monitor the condition. Catching eye cancer early through regular eye exams can help preserve your vision and eye health.
Our LOCATION1 Eye Doctors Can Help
If you are seeking effective treatment for eye cancer, our LOCATION1 ophthalmologists at will answer any questions you may have about eye cancer care. Our first priority is the health and well-being of our patients. Contact us today to book your appointment.
Q&A
What is the survival rate for eye cancer?
The survival rates for early-stage eye cancer tend to be very high. For example, the 5-year relative survival rate for ocular melanoma that is localized or has not spread outside the eye is 84%, according to the American Cancer Society SEER database.
NOTE: Survival rates for eye cancer are estimated based on previous outcomes of a large number of patients, but are not meant to be predictive of the outcome of individual cases.
Is eye cancer care covered by insurance?
Eye cancer treatment is considered necessary for survival and to prevent vision loss. Therefore, government and private insurance plans should cover diagnostic tests and eye cancer treatment. That said, best check with your medical insurance plan to be sure.
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