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What is a melanoma?
Tumors can be found in almost all tissues within the eye, and can be difficult to diagnose.
Although rare, the most common malignant tumor in the eye is a melanoma which usually occurs in middle-aged or elderly patients.
A melanoma is a
dark-pigmented tumor. Often a melanoma can be malignant
(life-threatening) and prone to spreading (metastasizing). Despite
treatment, they can spread to other parts of the body.
What are the symptoms of a melanoma?
In the early stages of a melanoma, there may be no symptoms. Detection often occurs during a routine eye examination
by your optometrist or ophthalmologist. As the tumor increases in size,
symptoms may develop. Decreased or blurred vision may result from the
melanoma. Severe visual loss may occur from a secondary source, such as a
retinal detachment, caused by the melanoma.
What are the treatment options for a melanoma?
Treatment
options for a melanoma in the eye include observation, radiation
treatment, laser treatment, and enucleation (removal of the eye). The
choice of treatment is dependent on many different factors, including
the size of the tumor, the age of the patient, the condition of the
other eye, and the wishes of the patient.
