We often take our eyesight for granted until something goes wrong. While eye cancer is rare, it can affect people of all ages. Knowing the warning signs and seeking timely medical attention can help protect both your vision and your health. Uveal melanoma is a rare type of eye cancer that starts in the middle layer of your eye, the uvea, and can usually grow without any early symptoms. While it is quite uncommon compared to other eye cancer types, it is still the most common type of eye cancer seen in adults.
Symptoms and risk factors
Uveal melanoma can be easier to miss as a random eye problem in the beginning stages. But as soon as the tumor grows, you may start feeling changes in your vision.
Symptoms:
Blurred or unclear vision
Flashes of lights
Floating spots
Dark spot in the iris that slowly becomes larger
Changes in the shape or position of the eye
Risk factors:
Increasing age
Light-colored eyes, like blue or green
Fair skin and a tendency to burn in the sun
Family-inherited genetic conditions: pigment-related conditions affecting your eye or skin
How is uveal melanoma diagnosed?
The chances of detection for uveal melanoma can be higher during your eye examination. An eye specialist may perform several different examinations to assess the size and location of the tumor in your eye. The tests may include ocular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography (OCT), so doctors can get a clear understanding of your retina and surrounding blood vessels. Biopsy may not be needed in many cases, as specialists can get enough information about your eye using such tests. They may also perform some additional tests to see whether the cancer has spread or not.
What are the treatment options?
The treatment options can vary depending on the size and location of your tumor. Doctors may also consider your current health condition and how much it has spread in your eye. They may perform radiation therapy or plaque brachytherapy, which is most frequently used, or surgery to remove the tumor manually from the eye. In very rare cases, if the cancer tumor is too large, doctors might remove your entire eye.
Living with uveal melanoma
Everything might seem challenging when it comes to your eye, but this doesn’t mean you won’t get your vision back. With timely detection and the right care, you can improve your chances of recovery. By staying consistent, you look forward with a more hopeful vision.