Eye cancer symptoms may not always be obvious. Most eye cancer symptoms overlap with those of other ocular diseases. It is important to consult the doctor if the symptoms are persistent and affect vision. There are several reasons for eye cancer.
Where Does Eye Cancer Occur?
Following are the various sites at which eye cancer commonly occurs:
The eyelid
The eyelid comprises a thin skin that covers and protects the eye. Eyelid cancer may occur in or on the eyelid. Several types of eyelid cancer include basal cell carcinoma, sebaceous carcinoma (cancer of the glands in the eyelid), squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
The Iris
The colored section of the eye visible from the outside is known as the iris. Iris melanoma may occur in the iris. Patients may not experience iris melanoma symptoms in the early stages. Ophthalmologists may notice it during routine eye examinations. Evidence indicative of iris melanoma includes blood vessels in the tumor, a deformed pupil, secondary glaucoma, and cataracts below the tumor.
The choroid layer
Choroid melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer of the eye in adults. It has a high risk of metastasis. Patients with choroidal melanoma experience reduced vision or vision loss, visual field defects, and photopsia.
The ciliary body
It is a rare type of melanoma, a subset of uveal melanoma. It is difficult to diagnose the disease early, as the symptoms of ciliary melanoma, such as blurred vision, overlap with the other less serious eye diseases.
What are the Symptoms of Eye Cancer?
The following are the different eye cancer symptoms:
Eye flashes
The presence of eye flashes is a symptom of various ocular conditions, including eye cancer. The symptom indicates vision-threatening ocular conditions and should be immediately reported to the ophthalmologist.
Blurred vision
Patients with eye cancer may also have blurred vision. It is the growth of lesions or tissue mass around or in the eye that potentially reduces the overall visual field and leads to blurred vision.
Vision Loss
Not all eye cancer results in complete or partial vision loss. The severity of vision loss depends upon several factors, such as the size, location, and extent of the cancer. This may be a sign of a tumor behind the eye.
Bulging of one eye
Eye bulging is a common symptom in patients with orbital tumors. The growth of the tumor in the orbit disturbs the original position of the eyeball, leading to a bulging appearance. The bulging eye may be an eyeball cancer symptom.
Lump on your eyelid
When the eyelid cells divide and grow uncontrollably, the patients have a tumor mass or lump in the eyelid.
Eye irritation
Eye cancer causes irritation in various ways. First, it disturbs the anatomy of the eye structures and pushes the healthy tissues. Second, it affects the lubrication and overall tear film of the eye. It may be an early-stage eye cancer symptom.
Pain in or around your eye
Various eye cancers, such as retinoblastoma, orbital tumors, and intraocular melanoma, cause eye pain. The severity of the pain depends on the affected structure.
Signs and Symptoms of Eye Cancer to Watch Out in Children
Signs and symptoms of eye cancer present in children are:
White color in the center of the eye
Children with retinoblastoma are presented with a white or cloudy pupil appearance. The presence of a white or cloudy pupil is known as leukocoria.
Suddenly, the eyes appear to be looking in different directions
Eye muscles and nerves control eye movements. When eye cancer affects the muscles, nerves, or both, the patient may have crossed eyes or strabismus.
Eye redness and swelling
Eye redness and swelling are some of the most non-specific eye cancer symptoms, as these are frequently encountered with several other common eye conditions. Eye redness and swelling may be due to intraocular cancer, conjunctival tumors, and eyelid tumors.
Excessive tearing
Excessive and prolonged irritation due to cancerous tissues in the eyes may lead to epiphora or excessive tearing. Although various less serious conditions may also cause excessive tearing, patients should consult ophthalmologists for appropriate diagnosis and management.
What are the Causes of Eye Cancer?
Although we do not know what causes eye cancer exactly, we do know that certain factors increase its risk. Some of the important eye cancer causes are:
Eye Color
Eye color may not have a direct association with eye cancer. However, studies have reported that people with light-colored eyes are more likely to develop ocular melanoma.
Age and Gender
Eye cancer may occur at any age. However, certain eye cancers are more common in people of particular age groups. For instance, retinoblastoma usually occurs in children under the age of 5, while ocular melanoma commonly develops in people between 50 and 60 years of age. Men are more vulnerable to eye cancer than women.
Inherited Medical Conditions
Certain inherited genetic disorders can increase the risk of eye cancer and, therefore, are considered possible eye cancer causes. These include ocular melanoma and retinoblastoma.
Moles
Moles present on the white portion of the eye have the potential to develop into conjunctival melanoma. This makes moles one of the possible eye cancer causes.
When to See an Oncologist?
Eyes are complex and delicate organs, and any eye disease symptoms should be immediately reported to an ophthalmologist. Unfortunately, several eye conditions are irreversible, and early diagnosis and management are key to preventing permanent damage. Individuals with eye pain, irritation, swelling, redness, blurred vision, floaters, flashes, and crossed eyes should consult oncologists.
Conclusion
The most common sites for eye cancer include the choroid, ciliary body, and iris. The commonly observed eye cancer symptoms include eye pain, blurred vision, reduced or complete vision loss, swelling, and redness. Eye cancer causes include color, moles, and inherited medical conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The patients or their relatives may notice some signs of eye cancer, such as changed vision, changes in the appearance of the eye, constant tearing, redness, swelling, and pain. However, the ophthalmology oncologists make a confirmatory diagnosis.
Some types of eye cancers are aggressive and have the potential to spread to various body parts, including the brain.
The survival period depends on several factors, such as the site of eye cancer, the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed, underlying ocular conditions, and the overall health of the patient.
There is no data to support the claim that eye drops cause eye cancer, provided the eye drops are used as prescribed.
Patients with eye cancer may have watery eyes due to irritation caused by the presence of cancer cells.
The first signs of eye cancer include changes in vision, redness and swelling, eye pain, and changes in the appearance of the eye.
Symptoms of the last stage of eye cancer depend on the site at which the cancer spreads. However, patients may have complete or partial vision loss at an advanced stage.
Patients with eye cancer have visible swelling, redness, watery eyes, a mass or tumor, or a white pupil.
