What Is Eye Cancer?
Eye cancer usually refers to ocular melanoma, which is cancer developing from cells called melanocytes that produce the dark coloured pigment of melanin. The most usual form of eye cancer is uveal melanoma which occurs in the uveal tract (comprising of the choroid, ciliary body and iris), although there is also conjunctival melanoma which develops in the lining over the white of the eye.
Eye cancer can also begin in the eyelid.
Eye cancer is a relatively rare form of the disease with between 400 and 450 cases being diagnosed in the UK each year.
Since it is such a rare cancer, the exact cause of eye cancer is not known. Most eye cancer patients are people in their 50s. Since it is a melanoma, people more sensitive to the sun such as people with fair skin are more at risk to developing the disease. People who have more moles are also more at risk.
The signs of eye cancer are varied, with symptoms often not presenting themselves until at an advanced stage. Symptoms include: blurred vision, seeing flashing lights and shadows, double vision, decreased vision and loss of vision.
The most advance private treatments for eye cancer are available at the LOC, where our highly trained specialists can help to formulate the best treatment plan for the disease according to the individual.