Are You at Risk for Eye Cancer?

Are You at Risk for Eye Cancer?

Eyelid Conditions Tumors & Cysts Defined A tumor is an abnormal growth of any tissue or structure and it can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors often remain localized, while malignant tumors often spread into surrounding structures. A tumor can affect any part of the eye, such as the eye socket, eyeball, eye muscles, optic nerve, fat, and tissues. Sometimes tumors grow into the eye area, or tumors from other parts of the body travel to the eye. Benign Tumors and Cysts: Chalazions & Styes A chalazion is a swelling in the eyelid caused by inflammation of one of the small oilproducing glands located in the upper and lower eyelids. A stye is an infection of a lash follicle and forms a red, sore lump. Chalazions tend to occur farther from the edge of the eyelid than styes and tend to point toward the inside of the eyelid. There are a variety of ways to treat chalazions and at Florida Eye our doctors will discuss the best options for each particular case.

Lid Margin Disease Lid margin disease is a common and frequently chronic inflammation of the eyelids. Symptoms include irritation, itching, and, occasionally, a red eye. This condition frequently occurs in people who tend to have oily skin, dandruff, or dry eyes. Lid margin disease cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with a few simple, daily hygienic measures such as using warm washcloths on your eyes. Pay particular attention to the lash area the bases in particular. Sometimes medication is also prescribed. Orbital Tumors The orbit is the bony socket that contains the eye, the muscles that move the eye, the optic nerve, and all the related nerves and blood vessels. There are seven types of orbital tumors that can develop and the signs for Hemangioma, benign tumor Sarcoma, malignant tumor any of them include bulging of the eyeball, visual loss, double vision, or pain. Orbital tumors can be benign or malignant. Malignant Tumors Eye cancer is rare, but it does occur. And like other eye conditions, some people are at higher risk than others of developing eye cancer. Most eyelid skin cancers occur on the lower lid, which receives the greatest amount of sun exposure. Approximately 90 percent of all eyelid cancers are basal cell carcinomas, while five percent or more are squamous cell carcinomas and 1-2 percent are

melanomas. Primary eye cancers can occur at any age, but most occur in people over age 50. The incidence of eye melanomas has been fairly stable over the past few decades. Cancers that spread to the eye from another part of the body (secondary eye cancers) are actually more common than primary eye cancers. Most cancers of the eye and orbit in adults are melanomas, with lymphomas being the next most common. Both of these cancers start more often in other parts of the body. More than 9 out of 10 melanomas start in the skin, while most lymphomas begin in lymph nodes. Are You At Risk For Eye Cancer? Check These Risk Factors: A. Race/ethnicity. The risk of intraocular melanoma is much higher in whites than in African Americans or Asian Americans. B. Eye color. People with light colored eyes also have an increased risk of intraocular melanoma. People with blue eyes are somewhat more likely to develop melanoma of the eye than are people with brown eyes. C. Certain inherited conditions. Dysplastic nevus syndrome, in which people have abnormal moles of the skin and an increased risk of skin melanoma, may also increase the risk for developing melanoma of the eye. D. People with abnormal brown spots on the uvea (known as oculodermal melanocytosis or nevus of Ota) also have an increased risk of developing eye melanoma. E. Sun exposure. Although too much exposure to sunlight (or sunlamps) has been proposed as a possible risk factor for melanoma of the eye, it has never been proven. F. Certain occupations. Some studies have suggested that welders, farmers, fishermen, chemical workers, and laundry workers may have a higher risk of eye melanoma, but none of these links has been proven conclusively. G. A weakened immune system can increase risks. For example, people living with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or those who take anti-rejection drugs after organ or tissue transplants.

It s important to keep in mind that having one or more than one of these risk factors does not mean that you will get the disease. And many people who get the disease may not have had any known risk factors. Early Warning Signs of Eye Cancer Early detection is essential, but may be difficult because eyelid tumors often grow under the skin for years before presenting on the surface. If you have any of these warning signals, consult a skin cancer specialist or ophthalmologist, even if you feel no discomfort. A lump or bump that frequently bleeds or does not disappear Persistent red eye or inflammation of the eyelids that does not respond to medication Newly acquired flat or elevated pigmented lesions that have irregular borders and growth Unexplained loss of eyelashes Detection and Treatment When diagnosed and treated early, eyelid cancers usually respond well to surgery and follow-up care, with the eye and eyelid largely retaining normal function. With reconstruction, they generally remain cosmetically attractive. But left untreated, they are extremely dangerous and may even ultimately penetrate the brain. Take Simple Steps to Lower Some of Your Risk Wear hats, visors, proper (UV) sunglasses and sunscreens. With its accredited outpatient surgical facility and exam rooms, and its dedicated team of experienced, caring physicians, technicians and staff, Florida Eye is well-equipped to diagnosis and treat any and all of the eye and eyelid conditions outlined in this material.

Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute offers a full range of total eye care, including routine examinations, pediatric eye care, dry eye, advanced corneal, retinal and cataract procedures, laser treatments, glaucoma, diabetic procedures and various other sophisticated treatments. With its own pediatric wing and fully accredited outpatient surgical center in Boynton Beach, the Institute also has offices in Wellington, Boca Raton and Juno Beach. Florida Eye enjoys a reputation as the premier center for clinical trials of breakthrough therapies nationwide. At any given time we are conducting studies in a variety of conditions such as Wet and Dry AMD and Diabetic Retinopathy. For information on current or future studies contact Margo Dague, our study coordinator, at (561) 736-5055 or via email at margo@fleyedocs.com. You can also visit our site at fleyedocs.com. DR. FRIEDMAN DR. KATZ DR. SCHECHTER DR. GORSCAK DR. CRISS DR. NEZGODA Wellington Boca Raton Boynton Beach Juno Beach 2575 State Road 7 Wellington, FL 33414 (561) 792-1205 9980 Central Park Blvd Suite 204 Boca Raton, FL 33428 (561) 451-4514 1717 Woolbright Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426 (561) 737-5500 13901 U.S. Hwy 1 Suite 7 Juno Beach, FL 33408 (561) 748-8230 (Pediatrics Only)