Today I wanted to show you this picture of ocular melanoma, also called uveal. I have no real experience with this type of melanoma, but I want to be sure you know it exists. I have mentioned already in a much earlier post how I first heard of ocular melanoma. An older man went to the eye doctor to get another pair of glasses because he broke his. The doctor told him he thought they should do another eye exam because it had been a while. During the exam, he discovered a mole on his eye (you can also have freckles on your eye), and further examination and testing showed it to be melanoma. Again, asymptomatic.
Ocular melanoma occur in five distinct sites around and in the eye. Each type has its own distinctive growth pattern and prognosis.
1. Eyelid Melanoma - Essentially like other skin (cutaneous) melanomas
2. Conjunctival Melanoma - The filmy white covering of the eye
3. Iris Melanoma - The colored part of the inside of the eye around the pupil (above picture)
4. Choroidal Melanoma - The pigmented supporting layer under the retina containing large numbers of blood vessels
5. Optic Nerve Melanoma - The large ‘nerve of vision’ which exits the back of the eye
Resource: http://www.ocularmelanoma.org/disease1.htm
Periodic retinal examination through a dilated pupil is the best means of early detection, according to the Ocular Melanoma Foundation. Few people realize that your eye doctor (a trained ophthalmologist, not an optometrist) can save your life by detecting this problem in its early stages.
Just a google search of ocular melanoma opened up a wealth of information. As fascinated as I am to absorb all I can for myself and others, I had to limit my surfing. If you have concerns or want to know more, please do additional research. I did come across a few blogs that even downplayed the connection between skin melanoma and uveal melanoma. I can understand this concern because both types need their own distinct attention, awareness and research. I can appreciate that many of those battling and advocating for ocular melanoma don't want to fall under the umbrella of melanoma in general, just as those of us in the fight against melanoma don't want to fall under the umbrella (and sometimes shadow) of cancer in general...in which case, melanoma often gets overlooked for attention, awareness, research, funding, education...
Hopefully I was able to bring you some knowledge of another way to take care of yourself with routine eye exams.
http://zeiglerfamilystuff.blogspot.com/2008/01/hope-for-ocular-malignant-melanoma.html
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