Eye Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Types & Treatment

The word cancer scares people the most. It is, however, less scary once you understand what it really is and the stages that it goes through. Basically, cancer is the growth of cells in the body that is not under control. Such a case within the eye or the area near the eye is called eye cancer or ocular cancer.

Your body is made up of a billion cells. These cells have to grow, divide, and die within a certain life span. Cancer in the eye is a result of the failure of the normal cell cycle. The cells that escaped the control mechanisms start reproducing and dividing in an unlimited manner, i.e., they go on growing non-stop. A little later, these extra cells get together and form a cancerous lump.

Other Types of Eye Cancer

• Conjunctival Melanoma
• Retinoblastoma
• Eye Lymphoma
• Metastatic Eye Cancer

Causes of Eye Cancer – How DNA Mutations Occur

Eye cancer is a consequence of a change in the genetic code of the cell called DNA. This change is called a mutation.

Doctors don’t attribute the cause of these DNA changes to one simple or obvious cause. Scientific studies have identified that the risk factors responsible are few in number and mostly very clear.

• Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is a commonly identified cause. Long-term exposure without proper eye protection can cause damage to the eye cells, particularly in people who have light coloured eyes or fair skin. Over time, this damage may cause abnormal cell growth.
• Genetic factors are also involved in some people. Some types of eye cancers are associated with inherited gene mutations or conditions passed from parents. These mutations cause the cells to have a greater tendency to grow abnormally, even in the absence of any triggering factors.
• In some, it may be the pre-existing eye conditions, or if there are abnormal moles in the eye, these could slowly become cancerous if not monitored.

Eye Cancer Symptoms and Warning Signs

Concerned patients should visit for regular eye check-ups. During the checkups, the doctors look for the following:

• Vision Changes: This is a very common sign. You could experience vision blurring, light flashes, or see a flickering effect.
• Peripheral Vision Loss: Cancer may hamper one side of your vision, thus creating a blind spot.
• Eye Bulging: The tumor that has grown large enough to push the eyeball forward is one of the rare situations.
• Pain: Eye cancer of various kinds is not accompanied by pain unless it becomes huge. Sudden, intense pain will require you to see a doctor immediately, as this can be a sign of another serious eye condition.

How Doctors Identify and Confirm Eye Cancer

Several state-of-the-art instruments are used by eye specialists who suspect cancer to confirm the suspicion and better understand the inner part of your eye. Some of these methods are:

• Indirect Ophthalmoscopy
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Biopsy

Treatment Options

Treatment is prescribed by an ophthalmologist depending on the size of the tumor, location, and the overall health conditions of the patient. The final objective is to treat the cancer and not to lose as much sight as possible.

• Radiation Therapy: The method involves the use of high-energy rays to kill the cancer cells. In most cases, a small radioactive disc is stitched on the eye just over the tumor for a while. This is known as plaque therapy.
• Laser Therapy for Eye Cancer: Small tumors can be treated by a strong laser that heats and kills the cancer cells.
• Surgery: The surgery may also include the removal of the tumor only. In the case of large tumors, the entire eye may have to be removed to keep the patient alive. A prosthetic eye can be inserted into the socket afterward.