Eye cancer (ocular oncology) encompasses primary malignancies in the eyeball, lacrimal glands, or eyelids, as well as secondary metastases. India hosts ~30% of global cases.
Subtypes of Eye Cancer
• Ocular Melanoma: Uveal melanoma (iris, ciliary body, choroid), Eyelid melanoma, Conjunctival melanoma.
• Retinoblastoma: Malignant retinal tumor observed primarily in young children (ages 2-3).
• Carcinomas: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC eyelid) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC).
Symptoms & Diagnostic Modalities
Symptoms: Dark iris spots, blurred/double vision, floaters, light flashes, blind spot, eyelid lump, eye bulging (proptosis), redness, and pain.
Diagnostics: Dilated Eye exam, Retinal Imaging, UBM ultrasound biomicroscopy, MRI, CT, Angiography dye, Family history, Biopsy.
Therapies & Enucleation
Treatment: Radiation therapy plaque, Laser thermotherapy, Chemotherapy, Surgery (Local resection or Enucleation eyeball removal with prosthetic fitting), Cryotherapy, Immunotherapy (Tebentafusp).