Cancer can be a fatal condition. Thanks in large part to a heightened public awareness, most people are aware that the best way to treat cancer is to catch any signs or symptoms of the condition as early as possible. Since cancer can afflict nearly any tissue in the human body, there is a greater demand for cancer screenings to be conducted during regular physical examinations, especially with the more common types of cancer. For rarer forms of the illness, such as eye cancer, it becomes more important than ever for them to go for regular annual check ups with their specialist physicians, such as their optometrists.
When it comes to eye cancer, because it is such an uncommon form of the disease, there are no standard screenings to give to patients. Luckily, however, there are a few forms of eye cancer that can be detected during a regular vision check up. The form of cancer that is affected is that of a type of melanoma. A melanoma is a cancer that attacks the surface tissue, usually skin but in cases such as these, it attacks the outermost layer of the eye. The attack is concentrated at a highly pigmented place on the tissue, normally a mole or freckle, and from there it works to continue its hyper reproduction of itself.
It is a very simple procedure for the doctor to look for potential signs of melanoma eye cancers. When the optometrist shines a light at a patient’s pupil, if there is an observed pinpoint of dark tissue, the doctor can notify and refer them to a specialist in vision oncology for further analysis. Because this particular check is done at every vision screening, it is a highly effective tool for detecting eye cancer early.
An oncologist specializing in ocular melanomas will often wish to perform a gonioscopy. The name comes from the use of the tool called the gonioscope. The tool searches between space of the cornea and the iris, on the hunt for any debris or growths that may be blocking the area of the eye that allows fluids to drain. This can be especially important in potentially saving the eye from further damage if the cancer is being identified very early on.
Technology also extends itself to another important way that ocular oncologists can detect an eye cancer early. Ultrasounds are vital for detecting cell masses, and can give a three-dimensional view of what is happening inside the eye. The doctor will also be able to take high quality photographs produced by the ultrasound images and be able to examine them more extensively.
We talked with Retina Associates about what comes next. They said, “At a follow up appointment, the ocular oncologist may wish to do another ultrasound of the eye, but with using a more detailed imaging device. This is known as a high-resolution ultrasound biomicroscopy. Just as in a regular ultrasound, the device uses excited energy sound waves, causing them to move around inside the eye and upon their return give a three-dimensional view of the affected organ. However, by applying the ultrasound with a microscopic view, the fine details of the cell mass and its movements and growth, or lack thereof, can be determined.” By doing this screening at a follow up appointment, the oncologist will know the level of severity the melanoma presents.
While a rare form of cancer, it is crucial that patients regularly attend annual eye exams in order to detect eye cancer early. Identifying the condition and starting treatment as soon is possible is important in order to survive an encounter with ocular melanoma. Regular eye exams are the first step.
