Melanoma is a type of cancer that develops in the body’s pigment-producing cells, and ocular melanoma is when it occurs in or around the eye.While ocular melanoma is the most common eye cancer in adults, it is actually extremely rare.
Most eye melanomas form in a layer of the eye you can’t see on the surface, and early symptoms don’t usually present. That’s why early detection of ocular melanoma can be complicated. Using precise technologies, an eye care professional can identify the signs during a comprehensive eye exam. Our Cedar Park eye doctor uses advanced optometric equipment to diagnose ocular melanoma at Lakeline Vision Source.
Symptoms
Once eye melanoma progresses, certain signs and symptoms may occur, including:
- Dark, growing spot on the iris
- Sensation of new flashes and floaters in your vision
- Change in pupil shape
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Blurred vision in one eye
Risk factors
Several factors may raise your risk of eye melanoma, including:
- Aging
- Being white
- Light eye color
- Specific genetic skin disorders, such as dysplastic nevus or abnormal skin pigmentation Overexposure to UV light
- Particular genetic mutations
Diagnosis
Your Cedar Park eye care provider may perform the following diagnostic procedures:
- Comprehensive eye exam – inspecting the outside of your eye and inside your eye thoroughly
- Eye ultrasound – imaging technique to create detailed pictures of your eye
- Angiogram – imaging of blood vessels in and around a suspected tumor
- OCT scan – pictures of parts of your eye, such as the retina and uveal tract
- Biopsy – a thin needle is used to extract suspicious tissue for examination in a laboratory
Treatment
Treatment varies depending on the size and location of the melanoma, as well as on your general health condition. Some possible therapies include radiation, laser treatment, photodynamic therapy, and surgery.
Regular eye exams are necessary to spot the early signs of ocular melanoma. Contact us to book an appointment at Lakeline Vision Source, your nearby eye care center in Cedar Park.
At Lakeline Vision Source, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 512-918-3937 or book an appointment online to see one of our Cedar Park eye doctors.
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