Ocular Melanoma: 10 Important Things to Know

Cancer can develop in any part of the body, including the eyes. Among several types of eye cancers, Ocular Melanoma is one of the most serious ones. Ocular Melanoma occurs when cancer develops in the melanin, the cells that produce pigment in the iris.

Here are a few of the important things to know about Ocular Melanoma:

1) Ocular Melanoma is common in adults

Your risk of Ocular Melanoma increases as you age. If you fall under the age group of 50 and above, it’s important to visit an eye doctor every year. Our team of eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals, one of the top eye hospitals in Kolkata, use advanced medical tools and technology for precise diagnosis and treatment. Book an appointment online at http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/.

Also, another important reason to visit an eye doctor every year is Ocular Melanoma causes little or no symptoms during the early stages, and, therefore, usually goes undetected until it worsens.

Ocular melanoma 10 important things to know

2) Look out for a dark spot in the eyes

As Ocular Melanoma develops and starts progressing, it can cause a dark spot to develop in the iris or the conjunctiva, the front white part of the eyes. If the development of a dark spot is accompanied by a change in the shape of the pupils, it could be an indication of eye cancer. Make sure not to neglect the symptoms and instead consult with an eye doctor.

3) Prolonged exposure to sunlight increases Ocular Melanoma risk

While you may enjoy basking in the sun, you are putting yourself at the risk of Ocular Melanoma. This is because prolonged exposure to UV (ultraviolet) rays increases the risk of eye cancer.  Take proper safety precaution by wearing a pair of sunglasses when spending time outdoors. Choose a pair of sunglasses that has UVA and UVB protection.

4) A major risk factor of Glaucoma

As Ocular Melanoma progresses, it can increase the risk of a vision-threatening eye complication called Glaucoma. The eye complication occurs when the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) increases.

If the progression of Ocular Melanoma leads to the onset of Glaucoma, you may experience several symptoms such as persisting eye pain, blurriness in vision, and seeing halos around the light.

5) Ocular Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body

One of the main reasons why Ocular Melanoma is a highly serious eye complication is the fact that the eye cancer can spread to other parts of the body, including the skin, bones, lungs, and liver. When any type of cancer spreads to other parts of the body, the process is called metastasis.

6) Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome increases your Ocular Melanoma risk

If you have Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome, you stand at an increased risk of Ocular Melanoma. Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome is an inherited skin disorder that causes abnormal moles. The skin disorder also increases the risk of Melanoma of the skin.

7) Radiation is one of the most common treatment options

Although Ocular Melanoma is a serious form of eye cancer, it can be successfully treated.  Radiation is one of the commonly-preferred treatment options; it involves deteriorating the cancerous tumour by exposing it to radioactive particles. This treatment can take 4 to 5 days.

8) Laser treatment is another effective option

Another way to successfully treat Ocular Melanoma is by using laser treatment.  Eye specialists choose this treatment option if the cancerous tumour in your eye is small. The treatment involves using a precisely-targeted infrared light to kill the tumour. Eye doctor adjusts the intensity of the infrared light in such a way that it can kill the cancer cells without causing damage to other parts of the affected eye.

9) Exercise regularly to reduce your risk of Ocular Melanoma

Physical inactivity is one of the general risk factors of cancer. Exercising regularly is a good way to reduce your risk of Ocular Melanoma. Depending on your age, you may choose low to moderate-intensity exercises such as jogging, running, swimming, and brisk walking.

If you are suffering from another health complication, make sure to consult with your eye doctor and plan your exercise regime accordingly.

10) Maintain a healthy and balanced diet

Although eating regime and Ocular Melanoma may not have a direct correlation, keeping your eyes healthy by eating a nutritious diet is a good way to reduce your risk of eye cancer.

At Disha Eye Hospitals, we have a team to have highly experienced ophthalmologists and eye specialists. We provide treatment for Cataracts, Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, and many other eye problems. To know about Cataract surgery cost in Kolkata, visit our hospitals. To know more about us, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/.

Common Eye Injuries at Home, Prevention, And Treatment

From a general perspective, a home is fairly a safe place. But this is not entirely true when it comes to eye injuries as you stand at an equal risk of injuring your eyes as when you’re spending time outdoors.

Eye injuries are medical emergencies and need to be addressed with proper medical care. If you have suffered a physical eye injury, it’s crucial to visit an eye doctor as promptly as you can. To get the right treatment for your eyes, visit Disha Eye Hospitals, a well-known eye hospital in West Bengal. Book an appointment online at http://www.dishaeye.org/organic/.

Common Eye Injuries at Home, Prevention, And Treatment

Here are a few of the common types of physical eye injuries that occur at home:

1) Eye trauma:-

Trauma is one of the common types of household-related eye injuries.  It is also one of the most serious types of physical eye injuries. Falls are a common reason for eye trauma at homes. Improperly arranged rugs, carpets, tangled up electrical cords, and slippery floors are a few of the common causes of falls.

Physical activity and dexterity toys such as guns, powerful ball shooters, frisbees, and juggling clubs account for a significant number of eye injury cases.

2) Cuts:

Common household objects may seem safe, but with improper use, they increase the risk of serious cuts on the eyes. It’s important to use these common household objects with precaution to avoid eye injuries: knives, scissors, stationery, toys with sharp edges, multi-function tools, nail cutters, keys, and bottle openers.

3) Chemical burns:-  

Chemical burns are a serious form of eye injuries. You stand at the risk of chemical burns in the eyes when using  certain chemical solutions such as cleaning liquids, pesticides, and detergents when doing household chores.

To ensure proper safety, make sure to keep these chemical solutions away from the eyes. Also, when using such chemical solutions, avoid working too quickly as doing so increases the risk of spills and splatters.

Preventing eye injuries at home

Eye injuries are preventable accidents. At home, taking certain precautions goes a long way in minimising the risk of accidental eye injuries. Here are a few of the necessary precautions to take:

1) Wear safety eyeglasses:-

Taking eye safety precautions as simple as wearing a pair of protective eyeglasses helps you significantly reduce the risk of accidental eye injuries. Make it a rule in your home for everybody to wear protective eyeglasses when playing outdoor sports, doing gardening work, and spending time in the garage/workshop.

2) Install handrails on staircases

Staircases are undoubtedly one of the biggest risk areas for falls in your home.  One simple way to improve safety in staircases is to install sturdy and non-slipping handrails. Wooden handrails are a good option as they allow a firm grip. Also, make sure to install proper lighting in staircases to reduce the risk of falls.

3) Keep your power and hand tools in good condition

Damaged/faulty power and hand tools not only slow you down in completing your chores but can also cause eye injuries. Make sure to keep all your utility tools in good condition. In case you have faulty tools, either repair them or replace them with new ones.

4) Get rid of toys that have jagged edges

Although toys are your kids’ best companion, they can cause serious eye injuries. Avoid buying toys that have sharp edges. It helps to be mindful about buying toys for your kids as per the age manufacturers’ recommendations.

Eye injury treatment

There are certain do’s and don’ts to follow after you’ve met an accidental eye injury. Follow these safety and treatment tips to properly address different types of eye injuries:

1) Avoid rubbing the eyes

Whether you have suffered a chemical burn, a trauma, or a cut to the eyes, make sure not to rub the eyes, even if you have the urge to. In the case of chemical burns, rubbing the eyes can cause the chemical to go deep into the eyes. Rubbing the eyes can also make cuts and trauma worse.

2) Rinse with water

If you have suffered a chemical burn in your eyes, rinse the affected eye with water to flush the chemical out. Rinsing with water is a good option if a small foreign particle gets stuck in your eyes.

Seek medical help if you’ve suffered from an eye injury

An eye doctor is the best person to address the right treatment for your eye injury. Make sure not to avoid eye injuries as they can lead to complications such as vision blurriness and eye infection.

At Disha Eye Hospital, you can get access to top-notch eye care services at affordable prices. The eye specialists and eye surgeons at Disha Eye Hospitals work incessantly to provide the best eye care for patients coming from different walks of life. We best treatment for Cataracts, Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy in Kolkata. Learn more about the eye hospital at http://www.dishaeye.org/history.