What is eye cancer?

eye-cancer
When the cells in the eyes starts growing uncontrollably and becomes a mass, then there increases the chance of eye cancer. Eye cancer are of mainly two types; primary eye cancer and metastic eye cancer. Primary eye cancer starts within the eye. Metastic eye cancer spreads to eye from another organ. Breast cancer and lung cancer are the two cancers that can spread to the eyes, causing the risk of eye cancer.

Signs and symptoms
Until the ophthalmologist or optometrist does not check in the eye, the person may be unknown about the tumor, as early signs are not much seen. But as the stage increases tumor grows and symptoms may pop up like;

  • Blurred visions
  • Decreased vision
  • Double vision
  • Partially vision loss.

But if still tumor spreads it can destroy and break past the retina. The other symptoms are;

  • Rarely the tumor is seen through pupil
  • There can be dark spot on the iris which continuous to grow.
  • A whitish or yellowish glow through the pupil decreasing or loss of vision.
  • Bulging of one eye
  • Pain in or around the eye
  • Change in the appearance of the eye.

Causes of eye cancer

  • Sunlight: too much exposure to sunlight and no protection given to eyes when outside in sun, can increase the chances of eye cancer.
  • Professions: people who work much radiations or lights such as welders, labourers etc are much prone to this disease.
  • Age: people above 50 or 70 age have high risk of this cancer.
  • Colors of eyes: those with light colored eyes have a high risk of tumor.

Treatment

  • Radiotherapy: it is based on size and location of the tumor. Modern radiation treatments are done for helping to spare healthy tissues.
  • Enucleation of the eye: in this treatment, eye is removed out and muscles and eyelids are left intact. The prosthesis is made by someone called an ocularist and is make to look like real eye.
  • Iridetomy: removal of the affected piece of the iris.
  • Exenteration: removal of the eye which can involve the eyelid.