How do I manage my intraocular melanoma on a daily basis?

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

If you have intraocular melanoma, it's very important to follow treatment advice from your doctors. This may include surgery or therapies like radiation or photocoagulation. If treatment involves removing your eye, it can have a significant impact on your daily life. Talk to your doctor about ways that you might be able to improve your appearance, such as getting an artificial eye or facial prosthesis. This kind of treatment may cause emotional and mental distress, so make sure you take advantage of resources like support groups or counseling if it helps you. Treatment may also include "watchful waiting," which involves no medical intervention other than monitoring your tumor. In those cases-and in all cases of intraocular melanoma-you must follow up frequently with your doctor to make sure the melanoma hasn't spread.

Continue Learning about Eye Cancers

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

Eye cancer is relatively uncommon. Cancer spreads to the eye more frequently than it originates ther...

Honor Society of Nursing (STTI)

A diagnosis of ocular melanoma can sometimes be made with an ophthalmoscope alone. Otherwise, MRI, X...

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Eye Cancers

A rare disease, eye cancer is typically a secondary cancer that spread from other parts of the body. Primary intraocular cancers eye cancers that start in the eyeball are actually less common than secondary intraocular cancers. Eye cancer in general is uncommon in your lifetime, you have a 1 in 1,215 chance of being diagnosed with an eye cancer. Melanoma of the eye is the most common primary intraocular cancer in adults, caused when the cells that produce pigmentation grow abnormally. Children are most often affected by retinoblastoma, an eye cancer that begins in the back of our eye called the retina. While most risk factors for eye cancers are not fully understood, researchers believe that too much sun exposure may contribute to developing this cancer. Yearly eye exams may help catch the cancer early. See an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor who specializes in eye diseases, if you notice a dark spot on your iris, the colored part of your eye.

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