How does cancer affect the eyes?

Different types of cancer can affect your eyes. The following are the most common in adults.

Cancer In the Eye

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer can attack the eyelids, especially in fair-skinned people. Certain cancers can also arise on the front of the eye called the cornea and conjunctiva (white of the eye).  Any red, pigmented, or white lesion on the eye surface which is new or growing, should be checked by an ophthalmologist.  Sometimes, a biopsy needs to be taken for suspicious areas.  Cancer can arise inside the eye. This is usually painless, and only sometimes affects vision, depending on the size of the tumor.

Melanoma

Melanoma can arise in any pigmented part of the body.  In the eye, the iris (colored part of the eye), the conjunctiva (the white of your eye), the skin, and the choroid (the layer under the retina inside the eye) are all susceptible to melanoma.  Usually from a nevus or freckle.  To detect this type of cancer, a retinal exam and thorough eye exam are needed.  If a melanoma is seen, treatment includes surgery and/or radiation. Rare cases which are large will require removal of the eye itself.  Melanoma can metastasize, so it is very important to act as soon as possible.

Other Rare Tumors

There are other more rare cancers which can also arise in the eye, most commonly in the choroid or retina itself.  The cornea, iris, conjunctiva and tear drainage system are also rarely involved.  Symptoms would include decreased vision, retinal detachment, and bleeding in the retina, or on the skin or from the tear duct in the eye.

Metastasis (Spreading of cancer) to the Eye

Colon Cancer, Breast cancer, Lung cancer

These are the most common cancers and can metastasize to the eye, even years after remission.  Any vision changes should be reported to your doctor and should be followed up with an exam by an ophthalmologist.  Tumors usually form inside the eye behind the retina in the choroid.  Treatment is usually chemotherapy and possibly radiation depending on the type of cancer.

Leukemia

Leukemia can cause bleeding and other damage to the blood vessels in the retina.  Rarely, a mass can form behind the eye as well.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma can arise inside the eye, usually in the vitreous. The vitreous is the jelly-like clear substance in the back of the eye, in front of the retina.  Persistent inflammation of the vitreous is suspicious for lymphoma in the elderly.  Thick floaters are sometimes seen by the patient.  Treatment includes radiation and chemotherapy.  Also, an MRI of the brain may reveal spread to the brain.

Affect of Chemotherapy on the Eye

Chemotherapy can also affect the eye.  Dry eye and advancing of cataracts are the most common side effects from chemotherapy.  Lubrication of the eyes with artificial tears is recommended.  Any decreasing vision should be reported to the onocologist and your ophthalmologist.

Radiation near the eye can cause Inflammation of the skin, conjunctiva, and cornea.  It can also cause small areas of bleeding on the retina.