Eye melanoma
What is it?
Melanoma is often referred to as cancer of the skin because it develops in the cells that create melanin which gives your skin color. Similar to skin, the eyes also have melanin cells, and therefore melanoma can develop in the eye.
Eye melanoma occurs most commonly in an area called the uvea. This makes up for the
- iris (the colored area)
- the choroid layer (a layer of blood vessels)
- the ciliary body (puts liquid into eye)
There are other areas in the eye in which melanoma can develop but those cases are very rare.
Am I at risk?
Risk factors for eye melanoma are fairly similar to skin melanoma.
These include having
- light eyes
- light skin
- exposure to UV light (from the sun or tanning beds)
- certain genetic mutations
- certain skin disorders
Eye melanoma can greatly affect vision long term, as well as cause glaucoma, so it's important to find it as soon as possible.
How can it be treated?
Treatment of eye melanoma depends on where it is in the eye and if it has spread further than the eye itself.
If it is a small eye melanoma, the doctor might even hold off treatment and monitor for any growth. However if treatment is needing, they might decide to do the following
- surgery on a small area of the eye
- surgery to remove the eye (enucleation) and replace it with an artificial eye
- radiation
- laser treatment (thermotherapy)
- photodynamic therapy - this is medication that makes cancer cells weak against light
- cold treatments (cryotherapy)
Radiation, photodynamic and cold treatments, usually are used for smaller melanomas as they're less effective with larger areas. If you have eye melanoma, it is worth asking about all of the above potential treatments to work out what is right for you to give you the best possible outcome.
What is it?
Melanoma is often referred to as cancer of the skin because it develops in the cells that create melanin which gives your skin color. Similar to skin, the eyes also have melanin cells, and therefore melanoma can develop in the eye.
Eye melanoma occurs most commonly in an area called the uvea. This makes up for the
- iris (the colored area)
- the choroid layer (a layer of blood vessels)
- the ciliary body (puts liquid into eye)
There are other areas in the eye in which melanoma can develop but those cases are very rare.
Am I at risk?
Risk factors for eye melanoma are fairly similar to skin melanoma.
These include having
- light eyes
- light skin
- exposure to UV light (from the sun or tanning beds)
- certain genetic mutations
- certain skin disorders
Eye melanoma can greatly affect vision long term, as well as cause glaucoma, so it's important to find it as soon as possible.
How can it be treated?
Treatment of eye melanoma depends on where it is in the eye and if it has spread further than the eye itself.
If it is a small eye melanoma, the doctor might even hold off treatment and monitor for any growth. However if treatment is needing, they might decide to do the following
- surgery on a small area of the eye
- surgery to remove the eye (enucleation) and replace it with an artificial eye
- radiation
- laser treatment (thermotherapy)
- photodynamic therapy - this is medication that makes cancer cells weak against light
- cold treatments (cryotherapy)
Radiation, photodynamic and cold treatments, usually are used for smaller melanomas as they're less effective with larger areas. If you have eye melanoma, it is worth asking about all of the above potential treatments to work out what is right for you to give you the best possible outcome.
Symptom list:
Eye melanoma
Financial support
Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.
p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.
Emotional support
Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!
