Eye Melanoma

Eye Melanoma - More dangerous than you think

Eye melanoma aren't something that many people think about. But they can be a real problem. Up to ten percent of all skin cancers occur around or on our eyes. Not many of them will kill you, but that doesn't mean they won't damage your skin and eye. Eye cancers can even cause blindness.

Our eyes and the area around them are actually very delicate. This makes them extremely susceptible to cancers. In addition, most people forget to protect their eyes from the sun.

The basic melanoma stages can progress very quickly in the eyes. This is because the skin there is so thin. Then the cancer can spread to other areas of the body.

Eyelid Skin Cancers

Most cases of eyelid skin cancer occur on the bottom eyelid. That's because it gets more exposure to the sun than the upper lid. Only about two percent of these cancers are eye melanoma. Another five percent are squamous cell carcinoma, and the rest are basal cell carcinoma.

It's extremely important to have any unusual growth on your eye checked out as soon as possible. Eyelid tumors can grow under the skin for a long time before showing up on the surface.

However, there are some early warning signs:

• If you find a bump on your eye that bleeds or does not go away
• If your eyes are always red or inflamed or
• If you have a new dark spot or scar on the eyelid....it might be cancer

Melanoma in the eye

The eyes can also develop cancer. Melanoma are cancers in pigment producing cells, usually found in skin. Your eyes have these cells, just like the rest of your skin, and can develop ocular melanoma. If the cancer starts in the eye, it is considered primary eye cancer.

Melanoma in the eye is the most common type of primary eye cancer in adults. However, it is still rare. Usually, the cancer starts somewhere else and then spreads to the eye.

Some eye cancers grow inside the eye. They start in the blood vessel layer below the retina. About six people in every million will get this disease every year. Like other kinds of melanoma, this cancer can spread to other systems.

A complete eye examination is the best way to find out whether or not there is a tumor on the inside of your eye. A biopsy will not be needed most of the time,.

Symptoms include vision distortion and flashes of light. Some people also see what looks like floating objects. Most people don't have any symptoms at all. This is why this cancer can be very advanced before you find out about it. You could lose an eye in severe, advanced cases. This is just one more reason that early detection is better.

The good news is that there is treatment for ocular melanoma. Simple radiation therapy is often used to reduce the size of these tumors. After radiation therapy, there is a chance your vision will be worse. But this is better than letting the cancer grow.

Eye cancer is a serious thing. The earlier you find out about it, the better. Melanoma survival rates are much higher for people who get their cancer treated early. Routine eye exams can help you notice this cancer when it starts.

Preventing Eye Melanoma

The good news is that preventing cancer of the eyes and eyelids can actually be very easy. Use moisturizers or sunscreens made for the area around the eyes. A protection of SPF 15 or more is recommended.

You can also choose UV protective sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun. They should block at least ninety-nine percent of UV radiation and will help reduce eye strain, too.

You can also wear a hat to protect your eyes. The brim needs to be at least three inches wide all the way around to offer protection. Just wearing one can block as much as half of all UV rays from your eyes and eyelids.

People with blue eyes are more likely to get this type of cancer. That means that they should be even more careful than people with brown eyes. If you work outdoors or spend a lot of time in the sun, you are at a higher risk. Taking the time to protect your eyes is worth it!

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