Eye tumors occur due to abnormal cell growth in the eye. Eye tumors can be malignant or benign, depending on their ability to spread to other parts of the body. Each of these types of tumors can cause symptoms, from mild to severe.
Eye tumors can occur in any part of the eye, from the eyelids to the innermost layer of the eyeball. There are eye tumors that are benign or malignant. The difference is, malignant eye tumors (eye cancer) can spread to other organs, while benign eye tumors do not.
Although benign, eye tumors can cause sufferers to experience various kinds of complaints, ranging from mild such as red eyes to severe such as visual disturbances. Therefore, eye tumors require proper treatment.
Causes of Eye Tumors
Benign eye tumors are not known with certainty. However, benign tumors that grow on the eyelids or eye membranes are thought to be caused by exposure to dust and ultraviolet light. Some tumor growths are also thought to be caused by viruses.
Enlargement of color cells in the eye or skin around the eye is also included in the category of benign eye tumors. This type of tumor is caused by the aging process, but can also be associated with changes in DNA.
Symptoms of Eye Tumor
Benign eye tumors can grow on the eyelids or inside the eye. Symptoms caused by eye tumors can vary and complaints usually tend to be mild. In fact, sometimes eye tumors do not cause any complaints at all.
One of the most common types of benign eye tumor is hemangioma. This type of tumor originates from an overgrowth of blood vessels in the eye and is present from birth. If it causes complaints, symptoms that appear can include:
- Eyes protruding (no pain).
- Red eye.
- Swollen, itchy, and hot eyes.
- Visual disturbances.
- Eyes feel like something is stuck.
Tumors caused by viruses usually appear in the form of warts on the eyelids. Meanwhile, tumors caused by enlargement of color cells appear as moles on the eyes or the skin around the eyes. This type of tumor needs to be watched out for because there is a possibility that it can turn malignant.
How to treat eye tumors
Tumor removal surgery can be the right choice to treat eye tumors or warts that are small and outside the eye. However, if the tumor is inside the eye and is large enough, laser surgery or radiation therapy may be required.
A mole-shaped tumor usually does not need to be treated unless it is very bothersome or there are signs of malignancy. Even so, it is recommended to check these moles to the eye doctor every 6 months to 1 year. This needs to be done so that the doctor can assess whether the tumor is developing to be malignant or not.
Eye tumors are rare and not too dangerous. However, this condition can cause discomfort and even visual disturbances. Therefore, if you see signs of eye tumors, especially if accompanied by complaints, immediately consult an eye doctor.