Eye Cancer

The following is an extract from Eye health information from the American Academy of Ophtahlmology The Eye M.D. Association. For more details, please read the original article at http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/eye-cancer.cfm

Cancer of the eye is a malignancy that starts and grows in your eye. A malignancy is a group of cells that are cancerous (non-typical cells that grow quickly and uncontrolled) and that can spread to other sites in the body or invade and destroy tissues.

There are three types of cancer:

· Ocular melanoma

· Primary intraocular lymphoma

· Retinoblastoma

Ocular melanoma: Melanoma is a type of cancer that develops in the cells responsible for producing the pigment that gives your skin, hair and eyes color. Just as you can develop a melanoma on your skin, you can also develop it in your eye. It is the most common type of eye cancer.

Primary intraocular lymphoma: Lymphoma of the eye is a kind of cancer that involves the body’s white blood cells, or lymphocytes, located throughout the body. Lymphomas can also start in organs such as the lungs, stomach, and rarely, the eyes.

Retinoblastoma: A different kind of eye cancer, called retinoblastoma, affects young children. Caused by a genetic mutation, it begins in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. Retinal nerve cells begin to grow and multiply, then usually spread into the eye and possibly other parts of the body.

There are also other cancers, which affect the eyes. Taking good care of your eyes is very important, so if you are experiencing any kind of eye or vision problems, contact your Optometrist immediately. You can contact our in-house 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore Independent Optometrist who will be more than happy to see you as soon as possible.