Eye cancer is rare. The NHS says around 850 cases are diagnosed in the UK each year. The most common type in adults is eye melanoma, and there is also a childhood eye cancer called retinoblastoma.
Eye cancer does not always cause obvious symptoms and may only be picked up during a routine eye test. The symptoms below are much more often caused by minor eye conditions, but it is important to get them checked.
Symptoms to get checked
The NHS lists these possible symptoms. They are not necessarily a sign of cancer, but see an optician or GP as soon as possible if you notice them:
- Shadows, flashes of light or wiggly lines in your vision
- Blurred vision
- A dark patch in your eye that is getting bigger
- Partial or total loss of vision
- Bulging of one eye
- A lump on your eyelid or in your eye that is getting bigger
- Eye irritation that does not go away
- Pain in or around the eye, although this is rare
How it is diagnosed
If an optician or GP finds something that needs a closer look, they will refer you to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist). If eye melanoma is suspected, you will be referred to one of four specialist eye cancer centres in the UK, in London, Sheffield, Liverpool and Glasgow. Tests can include a detailed eye examination, an ultrasound scan of the eye and photographs taken after a dye is injected.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the size and position of the tumour, and aims to keep the eye whenever possible. The main treatments for eye melanoma include radiotherapy, either from small radioactive plates placed near the tumour or from an external machine, surgery to remove the tumour or part of the eye, and immunotherapy. If the eye has to be removed, it is replaced with an artificial eye made to match your other eye.
Why routine eye tests matter
Because eye cancer may not cause symptoms early on, regular eye tests give an optometrist the chance to spot changes inside the eye. The NHS recommends most people have an eye test at least every 2 years.
Support
Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support offer information and support for anyone affected by cancer, including eye cancer.
