Eye Cancer

"Eye cancer" is uncommon but important. The two main types are retinoblastoma in children and uveal (ocular) melanoma in adults. Secondary cancers (spread from breast, lung) also occur in the eye. Early diagnosis is vision- and often life-saving.

Retinoblastoma (children)

• White pupil (leukocoria) — often seen in photographs instead of the red-eye reflex. The most important single sign.
• New squint (cross-eye).
• Red, painful eye; vision loss.
• Any of these in a child under 5 — immediate paediatric ophthalmology referral.
• Can be inherited (RB1 gene) — siblings/children of affected people need screening.
• Treatment at specialised centres has excellent eye- and life-preservation outcomes when caught early.

Uveal (ocular) melanoma (adults)

• Often silent; found on routine eye exam.
• Blurred or distorted vision, flashes or floaters, visible dark spot on the iris.
• Diagnosis by ophthalmology + imaging.
• Treatment — radiation plaque therapy or surgery; preservation of the eye where possible.
• Systemic monitoring — liver metastases can develop years later.

Eyelid, conjunctival and orbital cancers

• Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas of eyelids — non-healing sore, lash loss.
• Sebaceous carcinoma (more common in Asia) — can mimic chalazion (stye); any persistent lump deserves evaluation.
• Lymphomas and other rare tumours — specialist care.

India-specific practical point

Retinoblastoma in India often presents late because the white-pupil sign is mistaken for something benign. Show your child's photos to a Health Expert if the "red-eye reflex" in flash photos is white or yellow in one eye. It is a simple test any parent can do. Specialised retinoblastoma centres across India (major teaching hospitals and eye hospitals) can preserve life, and often vision, when treatment starts early.