Eye Melanoma

Eye melanoma, also known as ocular melanoma or uveal melanoma, is a type of cancer that develops in the eye. It occurs when abnormal cells in the eye grow and multiply uncontrollably, forming a tumor.

Types of Eye Melanoma

There are several types of eye melanoma, including:

• Choroidal melanoma: This is the most common type of eye melanoma and occurs in the choroid, which is the layer of tissue between the sclera and retina.
• Ciliary body melanoma: This type of melanoma occurs in the ciliary body, which is the ring of tissue that produces fluid in the eye.
• Iris melanoma: This type of melanoma occurs in the iris, which is the colored part of the eye.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of eye melanoma is not known, but several risk factors have been identified, including:

• Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation: People who spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in sunny climates, are at increased risk of developing eye melanoma.
• Light eye color: People with light-colored eyes, such as blue or green, are more likely to develop eye melanoma than those with darker eye colors.
• Fair skin: People with fair skin are at increased risk of developing eye melanoma.
• Family history: People with a family history of eye melanoma or other types of cancer are at increased risk of developing the disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of eye melanoma may include:

• Flashes of light: Some people with eye melanoma may see flashes of light or experience other visual disturbances.
• Floaters: Eye melanoma can cause the formation of floaters, which are small spots that appear to float in front of the eyes.
• Blurred vision: As the tumor grows, it can cause blurred vision or other changes in vision.
• Pain: In some cases, eye melanoma can cause pain or discomfort in the eye.

Diagnosis

Eye melanoma is typically diagnosed using a combination of the following tests:

• Visual acuity test: This test measures the sharpness of vision.
• Slit-lamp examination: This test uses a special microscope to examine the eye in detail.
• Ultrasound: This test uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the eye and detect any tumors.
• Fluorescein angiography: This test uses a special dye to highlight the blood vessels in the eye and detect any abnormalities.
• Biopsy: In some cases, a biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of eye melanoma.

Treatment

The treatment for eye melanoma depends on the size and location of the tumor, as well as the overall health of the patient. Treatment options may include:

• Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor or the entire eye.
• Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.
• Plaque radiotherapy: This treatment involves implanting a small radioactive plaque near the tumor to deliver targeted radiation.
• Transpupillary thermotherapy: This treatment uses a laser to heat and destroy the tumor.
• Enucleation: In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the entire eye to prevent the cancer from spreading.

Prognosis

The prognosis for eye melanoma depends on the size and location of the tumor, as well as the overall health of the patient. If caught early, the prognosis is generally good, but if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the prognosis is poorer.

Prevention

While it is not possible to completely prevent eye melanoma, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce the risk:

• Wear protective eyewear: Wearing sunglasses with UV protection can help reduce the risk of eye melanoma.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight: Avoid spending long periods of time in direct sunlight, especially during peak hours.
• Get regular eye exams: Regular eye exams can help detect eye melanoma early, when it is most treatable.