Not many are aware that eyes can also be affected with cancer. Eye cancers can develop inside the eyeball, behind the eyeball, or on the eyelids. Although relatively rare, eye cancer can be serious and even life-threatening if not detected and treated early. India carries one of the highest burdens of eye cancer worldwide, particularly childhood eye cancers. Retinoblastoma, a life-threatening eye cancer in children, is more common in India than in other countries.
Retinoblastoma is the one of the most common intraocular (inside the eye) cancers in children. It usually occurs in children below 3 years of age. If not treated in time, retinoblastoma can be life-threatening. However, with today’s advanced medical treatments, early diagnosis and treatment can help save vision, eye and life of the child.
One of the earliest warning signs of retinoblastoma is a white reflex in the pupil (instead of the normal red reflex), often noticed in photographs taken with a camera flash. Parents are advised to seek immediate medical attention if they observe this in their children.
In adults, ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) and sebaceous gland carcinoma are among the most common eye cancers. OSSN is the leading conjunctival malignancy, while sebaceous gland carcinoma is the most common eyelid cancer in India, accounting for 53% of all eyelid malignancies—a much higher percentage compared to Western countries. Eyelid tumors are another form of eye cancer and commonly appear as painless nodules or swellings on the eyelid that increase in size rapidly. These tumors are often ignored in the early stages, leading to delayed treatment.
Common warning signs of eye cancer include:
- A white reflex in a child's eye (a major sign of retinoblastoma)
- Blurry vision or sudden vision loss
- A dark or growing spot on the surface of the eye
- Bulging of one eye or sudden change in the appearance of the eye
- A lump on the eyelid or around the eye
- Seeing flashes of light, wiggly lines, or floating spots
- Eye redness, chronic irritation, or inflammation
- Pain in or around the eye (though rare in early stages)
When detected early, most eye cancers can be treated successfully with surgery and other modern treatment methods. In advanced stages, however, it may become necessary to remove the entire eye to save the patient’s life.
Doctors emphasize that regular eye check-ups and prompt evaluation of any abnormal eye signs are crucial for early diagnosis. Awareness among parents and the general public can play a major role in preventing blindness and saving lives.
Dr Anasua Kapoor, Head-Kode Venkatadri Chowdary campus in Vijayawada, cautions people thus, 'We cannot stress enough how critical early detection is. A simple flash photograph and routine eye examinations can make all the difference. We urge parents and the public to look out for the early warning signs mentioned here and reach out to an ophthalmologist immediately if you notice any of them.'
Dr Lavanya Maddi, consultant ophthalmologist at the GMR Varalakshmi campus in Visakhapatnam, cautions people thus, ‘We cannot stress enough how critical early detection is. A simple flash photograph and routine eye examinations can make all the difference. We urge parents and the public to look out for the early warning signs mentioned here and reach out to an ophthalmologist immediately if you notice any of them.’
Dr Devjyoti Tripathy, consultant ophthalmologist at the Mithu Tulsi Chanrai campus in Bhubaneswar, cautions people thus, 'We cannot stress enough how critical early detection is. A simple flash photograph and routine eye examinations can make all the difference. We urge parents and the public to look out for the early warning signs mentioned here and reach out to an ophthalmologist immediately if you notice any of them.'
Dr Kavya M Bejjanki, Head – RajaSekhara Reddy campus in Kadapa cautions people thus, 'We cannot stress enough how critical early detection is. A simple flash photograph and routine eye examinations can make all the difference. We urge parents and the public to look out for the early warning signs mentioned here and reach out to an ophthalmologist immediately if you notice any of them.'
About LVPEI: Established in 1987, with the vision, ‘to create excellent and equitable eye care systems that reach all those in need,’ the L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), a comprehensive eye health facility, is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Blindness.
In pursuance of this vision, LVPEI clinician scientists work at the cutting edge of eye research. Through its five-tier ‘Eye Health Pyramid’ and cross-subsidy models, LVPEI provides more than 50% of its services entirely at no cost to the patient, irrespective of the complexity of care needed. LVPEI is among the world’s top eye researchers with over 5,000 published scientific papers in prominent international journals.
For further information, please visit the Institute’s website, www.lvpei.org.
Contact: Aneetha Kanukolanu, Associate Director- Network Communications
Phone: +91 40 6810 2272
Email: aneetha.kanukolanu@lvpei.org
Website: www.lvpei.org