Eye cancer symptoms, such as persistent vision problems and changes in the appearance of the eyes, can be difficult to identify as they are associated with other conditions. Eye cancer is unique as it usually does not cause pain. Early detection is crucial for better prognosis, and diagnosis is made through an eye exam and biopsy. Treatment options include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
Identifying eye cancer can be difficult as many, if not most of the symptoms are also associated with other, less serious conditions, but the main things to look out for usually include persistent vision problems and changes in the location or appearance of the eyes. Eye cancer can be a bit unique among cancers in that victims usually don’t feel much pain. Growths that start in the soft tissue here usually put pressure on the eye nerve and brain, but because there aren’t many nerve endings in these places, people don’t hurt themselves like they would if all this were happening somewhere else. The sooner eye cancers are detected and treated, the better the prognosis, which means that people who experience unusual pressure or problems in their eyes are generally wise to have them evaluated by a specialist before too much time passes.
Eye cancer basics
Eye cancer, also known as ocular melanoma or ocular melanoma, develops when there is an error in the DNA of a healthy eye. DNA is basically the genetic code that tells cells how to reproduce. These errors tell the mutated cells to keep growing; the cells then build up in the eye and symptoms begin to develop. Most commonly, cancer is found in the vascular layer of the eye near the retina, but it can also develop in the outer layer at the front of the eye.
All types of eye cancer are extremely rare. While symptoms can point people in the right direction, they’re more likely to point to another problem entirely. Of course it’s still a good idea to have any lingering problems evaluated, but there’s usually no need for people to assume the worst without a formal evaluation first.
Vision problems
Blurred vision is one of the first things many cancer patients say they notice. The blurriness can occur consistently or it can come and go, often at random intervals. There are a number of reasons for vision problems and eye cancer is just one of them. In addition, floaters or spots moving in the field of vision and sensations of flashing light may occur without changes in the clarity of a person’s vision. Temporary or permanent loss of vision, complete or in a certain area within the visual field, can be another early symptom of eye cancer.
Change in the position or appearance of the eyes
There may also be a noticeable physical change in the eye, including change in the size of the pupil, swelling, or a change in the way the eye sits or moves. The tumors usually grow in the lower part of the eyeball and are not usually visible, but depending on how large they are they can and often do alter how the eye looks in the socket. Dark spots on the surface of the eye are another related symptom.
Thinking about the pain
Pain is one of the most common things most cancer patients experience and it indicates that something is wrong with the body. However, there is almost never pain associated with eye cancer symptoms. People often feel pressure, but usually don’t feel any real pain. When the cancer is present, it has usually already spread to a large area outside the eye itself.
Put the symptoms in context
It is very important for people to understand that most of the symptoms listed here are much more commonly caused by other, usually less serious conditions. Blurred vision and floaters may simply be part of the natural aging process, for example, and changes in the appearance of the eyes are usually due to non-cancerous growths and other temporary ailments. However, it’s never a bad idea to have your vision changes checked by a healthcare professional. In the rare event that a patient presents with eye cancer, the earlier the diagnosis is made, the more likely the condition will be treated.
Diagnosis and treatment options
Diagnosis often begins simply with an eye exam. In some cases, eye cancer can be detected with hand-held instruments and other microscopes designed to look into the eye. Experts who suspect cancer may be present usually try to biopsy certain cells from the eye, which is a testing process that looks at their molecular level to see their growth pattern.
If diagnosed positive, treatment usually begins as with any other form of cancer. Isolated and contained growths are often surgically removed, and those that have spread are frequently attacked with radiation and chemotherapy. How early the cancer was caught can be decisive in the prognosis. In the more advanced stages of the disease, it is not uncommon for eye cancer victims to lose complete vision in one or both eyes.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
