Page 37 - The Freckled Eye - Book
P. 37
Q: Are there any symptoms of choroidal melanoma?
A: Often there are no symptoms. If the tumor is big, it can affect the retina to
detach. This can bring about flashing lights in the eye, blurred vision, floating
particles or even loss of vision. These are severe symptoms and ought to be
evaluated by an ophthalmologist as soon as they are noted.
Q: What causes choroidal melanoma?
A: The cause is not known. Exposure to the sun is not known to bring about
this eye cancer. It does not emanate from a melanoma in another part of the
body.
Q: Is choroidal melanoma a common cancer?
A: No, it is very rare, but it is the most common eye tumor in adults.
Q: Are certain kinds of people more at risk to having this type of cancer?
A: Yes, fair skinned people having light colored eyes are more at risk for this
type of eye cancer. It is as well seen more often in people over 50 years of
age.
Q: Can I do anything to prevent choroidal melanoma?
A: There is nothing that you have done that brings about choroidal melanoma,
and there is nothing that you can do to prevent it.
Q: Is it hereditary?
A: No, it is not hereditary. There have just been a few occurrences where
members of the same family have suffered a melanoma in the eye.
