Eye cancer, which is also referred to as ocular melanoma, is a type of cancer that affects cells called melanocytes within the eyes. This rare condition may not cause any noticeable symptoms in affected patients. Patients who develop any eye cancer signs and symptoms should talk with a doctor for further evaluation and care.
Blurred Vision
Eye cancer can cause vision alterations in affected patients. Cancerous cells within the eye can lead to blurred or cloudy vision, which may interfere with a patient's ability to see normally. Certain patients may lose full peripheral vision---also called side vision---or the vision field along the outside of the center gaze. If left untreated, these eye cancer signs and symptoms may be permanent.
Floaters
Eye floaters may emerge as a sign of eye cancer in affected patients. Floaters are unusual spots or lines that affect a patient's normal field of vision. These floaters can occur sporadically and may interfere with a patient's ability to see clearly. Certain patients can also experience abnormal flashes of light or shadows within their field of vision in addition to floaters, explains the American Cancer Society. These symptoms of eye cancer should be discussed with a doctor as they may also indicate other eye-related medical problems such as glaucoma.
Iris Dark Spot
The iris is the part of the eye associated with eye color and may be blue, brown, green, gray or hazel. Patients with eye cancer can notice that this region of the eye develops a dark spot that become progressively larger over time. This sign of eye cancer only occurs within the affected eye and may affect a patient's ability to see normally.
Eye Displacement
During advanced stages of eye cancer, the affected eye may develop a large growth or tumor. If this occurs, the cancerous tumor can cause the eye to become displaced within the eye socket, explain doctors at the Mayo Clinic. The affected eye may appear to bulge from the socket or may not be able to move normally within the socket. Severe eye displacement can be associated with sensations of pain within the eye, though these symptoms of eye cancer are quite rare, according to the American Cancer Society. Unusual eye placement can be a sign of alternate medical conditions and should be reported to a doctor immediately.
