Your eyes are very important. Many people don't realise just how valuable their vision is until it starts to fail. I was one of these people. I didn't give a second thought to my eyes or keeping them healthy. However, one day, I noticed that I couldn't see as clearly as I used to. I struggle to read the small print on paperwork and sometimes I would find that my vision would become unfocused. I visited the optometrist, and he assessed my eyes. I've now been prescribed contact lenses which really help me. I hope the articles I have posted here help you.
A melanoma is a type of cancer, and it can occur in any part of your body where cells produce melanin, the pigment that gives your skin colour. Your eyes contain those melanin-producing cells, so eye melanomas (or ocular melanomas) can sometimes develop.
These melanomas are treatable, but you should catch the problem as early as possible and arrange retinal scanning for a complete diagnosis to ensure you enjoy the best outlook. With that in mind, here are just four common signs of an eye melanoma to watch out for.
1. Visual Problems
As you might imagine, ocular melanomas often produce visual problems. You might find your vision going blurry. This may happen suddenly or gradually, but you'll often find that only part of your field of sight is affected. For example, you might notice that things are a little blurry on the right, or that you're suffering problems with peripheral vision. There are several reasons why this might be happening, but an ocular melanoma is a likely culprit if you're only experiencing problems in one eye.
2. Dark Spot
Most ocular melanomas form where they cannot be seen in a mirror, but that's not always the case. Melanomas around the iris can be particularly easy to spot since the iris itself has a bold colour – you may be able to see a growing dark spot if a melanoma is developing there. If the white area of the eye is affected, you may be able to spot a light brown patch.
3. Floaters
A large amount of each eye is filled with a vitreous substance to help it maintain its proper round shape. When someone causes the shape of the eye to change – such as the development of a melanoma – that vitreous substance shrinks, which can produce floaters. These are small spots or lines that drift across your vision. Ocular melanomas are only one potential cause of floaters, but you should still speak to an eye doctor if you notice them.
4. Bulging or Movement Changes
As ocular melanomas grow, they often change the position of the eyeball within its socket, especially if they develop near the edge of the eye. This isn't always noticeable, but you may feel your eye is bulging slightly or feel a difference when you move the eye around in its socket. If you do, arrange a visit to your optometrist as soon as possible so they can see what's going on.
To learn more, contact your local retinal imaging centre today for an appointment.
Share18 November 2018
