Eye Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Treatment & Prevention 

Introduction

Your eyes can tell you a lot about your health, but what if something unusual starts to change them? Eye cancer is rare but serious, and it can affect both adults and children. Eye cancer can develop in various parts of the eye, and its symptoms can be easy to miss¹.

This article discusses types of eye cancer, its symptoms and causes, how the disease is diagnosed and treated, and when to consult a doctor. 

What Is Eye Cancer?

Eye cancer is a rare cancer that develops in the eye or the tissues around it. It happens when abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way and form a tumour. Eye cancer can affect different parts of the eye. Initially, it may not show any specific signs, however, as it progresses it may lead to altered vision or other changes in or around the eyes^1,2.

Types of Eye Cancer

Eye cancer can develop in different parts of the eye, and there are several types depending on where it starts³.

A primary eye cancer is the cancer that starts in the eye or the tissues around it whereas a secondary eye cancer is the cancer that starts in another part of the body and spreads to the eye. This spread is called metastasis (when cancer cells travel from one part of the body to another). 

Primary eye cancers include³:

• Intraocular eye cancer that develops inside the eye.  
• Uveal melanoma is the most common eye cancer in adults. It starts in the uvea (the middle layer of the eye), which includes the iris (the coloured part of the eye), ciliary body (the part that helps the eye focus), and choroid (the layer that supplies blood to the eye). 
• Retinoblastoma is a rare eye cancer that mainly affects young children. It starts in the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) and can affect one or both eyes. 
• Eye lymphoma is a cancer that starts in lymphocyte cells of the immune system (the body’s defence system). It can develop in or around the eye. 
• Extraocular eye cancer which develops outside the eyeball, such as in the eyelids, tear glands or tissues surrounding the eye.  
• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous cell carcinomas are skin cancers that can start in the tissues covering or lining parts of the eye. They are less common than some other types of eye cancer. 
• Lacrimal gland cancer is a rare cancer arising from the tear-producing lacrimal gland. 
• Rhabdomyosarcoma is a soft-tissue cancer that can develop in the tissues around the eye, mainly affecting children³.

Causes of Eye Cancer

There is no single known eye cancer cause. Most eye cancers develop due to changes in the genes that control how cells grow and divide, but the exact reasons these changes occur are not always known. Several factors may increase the risk of developing certain types of eye cancer⁵. 

• Eye colour: Blue, green, or any light-coloured eyes have higher chances of developing eye melanomas⁶.
• Age: Risk of most eye cancers increases as one ages. However, some cancers like retinoblastoma are more common in children⁷.
• Specific eye conditions: Some unusual pigmentation around the eye area and certain moles can increase the chances of developing eye melanomas⁵.
• Inherited conditions: Changes in certain genes can contribute to the development of eye cancer, which can be inherited from a parent or develop during a person’s lifetime. Rare inherited conditions, such as BAP1 tumour predisposition syndrome, can increase the risk of uveal melanoma and other cancers. Retinoblastoma can also occur when changes affect the RB1 gene; some of these changes are inherited, while others occur by chance⁸. 
• Sunlight or ultraviolet rays exposure: The possibility of getting eye melanomas and carcinomas may be higher with long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays⁸. 
• Infections like HIV and Immune suppression: A weakened immune system can increase the risk of some eye cancers, particularly eye lymphoma. People with HIV/AIDS and those taking medicines that suppress the immune system, such as after an organ transplant, have a higher risk of developing certain types of eye cancers like eye lymphoma⁸.

Eye Cancer Symptoms and Early Warning Signs

Eye cancer does not always cause symptoms, especially in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include: 

• Decreased or blurred vision: Seeing worse than before⁹.
• Flashes or floaters: Seeing flashes of light or dots or shapes in the vision⁹.
• A black spot on the iris: A new mark on the coloured part of the eye or an existing one that increases in size⁹.
• Changes in the pupil: The black opening in the middle of the eye may change in size or shape⁹.
• Pain or discomfort in the eye: Pain occurring inside or near the eye¹⁰. 
• Swelling of the eyeball: The eyeball may look pushed out⁵.
• A growth or lump: A new growth on the eyelid or on the eye¹.
• Vision loss: Partial or not being able to see¹.
• A white pupil in children: The pupil can appear white in photographs taken with flash. It could signify retinoblastoma⁷.

Treatment of Eye Cancer

The kind of treatment assigned to eye cancer mostly depends on its form, size, and position. Treating various forms of eye cancer can include: 

• Surgery: The cancerous formation may need to be surgically removed if it is still small. In some cases, the entire eye may need to be taken out to eliminate the tumour, which can be replaced by a prosthesis¹.
• Radiotherapy: This method involves the use of radiation to destroy cancer cells. Whether internal radiotherapy is required or external depends upon the type of cancer¹¹.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses medicines to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. It may be given directly into the eye, around the eye, or throughout the body, depending on the situation. Its use varies among different types of eye cancer and  is commonly used in the treatment of retinoblastoma but less useful for melanomas⁷.
• Cryotherapy: The technique implies very low temperatures to freeze affected cells (which is often used to treat significant form of retinoblastoma these include the opening of blood vessels, creating destruction of the surrounding tissues, and freezing cells at low temperatures¹².
• Laser treatment: Laser treatment uses a focused, high-energy beam of light to destroy tumour tissue and the surrounding blood vessels feeding them. In retinoblastoma, laser treatment may be used in two ways: photocoagulation, which can destroy the blood vessels supplying the tumour, and thermotherapy, which uses heat from infrared laser light to destroy cancer cells. Laser treatment is generally used for small tumours, particularly those at the back of the eye¹².
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy uses medicines that help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. It may be considered for certain types of melanomas or metastatic eye cancer, depending on the cancer type and individual circumstances¹.

Complications of Untreated Eye Cancer

Eye cancer has the potential to continue to grow and can cause major issues if not treated. Some complications may occur as a result, which include:  

• Loss of vision: A tumour can damage structures of the eye that are important for vision, potentially causing partial or complete loss of sight¹⁰.
• Retinal detachment: Some eye tumours may cause the retina to separate from the back of the eye, which can lead to visual disturbances or vision loss¹³.
• Changes in the appearance of the eye: As a tumour grows, it may cause swelling, bulging of the eye or other physical changes⁹.
• Spread to nearby tissues: Advanced eye cancer may grow beyond the eye and affect surrounding tissues⁹.
• Spread to other parts of the body: Some eye cancers can spread to distant organs through metastasis. The pattern of spread depends on the type of eye cancer; for example, uveal melanoma commonly spreads to the liver⁹.
• Facial or eye changes after treatment: Treatment such as surgery may sometimes alter the appearance of the eye or surrounding face. Radiotherapy can also cause changes to the tissues around the eye and may affect vision or other eye functions⁹.
• Serious complications in children: Untreated retinoblastoma can cause severe damage to the eye and blindness. It can also spread to the brain and other parts of the body, where it can become life-threatening⁹.

Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help prevent or reduce some of these complications¹⁰.

How to Prevent Eye Cancer?

It is difficult to prevent all types of eye cancers since some associated risk factors like genetics or inherited mutations are not modifiable. But there are measures that can be taken to protect your eyes and lower the risks¹⁰.

• Protect your eyes from strong sunlight: Wear sunglasses that block UV (ultraviolet) rays and a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.  
• Avoid sunbeds: Sunbeds expose the eyes and skin to UV radiation and may increase the risk of melanoma.  
• Watch out for signs: Look for unusual or lasting changes in your eyes, such as blurred or reduced vision, a dark/white spot on the coloured part of the eye, a lump in or around the eye, a change in how the eye looks, or ongoing eye irritation. If you notice any new or unusual changes, speak to your doctor. 
• Have regular eye tests: Some eye cancers may not cause symptoms at first and can be found during a routine eye examination.  
• Know your family history: Some rare eye cancers, such as retinoblastoma (a cancer that affects the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye), can run in families. Children with a family history may need regular eye checks. 

When to Consult a Doctor?

If you notice any new changes in your eyes or vision, speak to a doctor. You should also seek medical advice if¹⁰:

• Changes in your vision are affecting your daily activities. 
• An eye problem is not improving. 
• You notice any unusual changes in a child’s vision. 
• You have risk factors for eye cancer, such as a family history of certain eye cancers or a condition that may increase your risk. 

Early assessment can help identify the cause and, if needed, start eye cancer treatment sooner. 

Also Read: Eye Pain: Causes, Treatment & Home Remedies 

Conclusion

Eye cancer is a rare disease, but knowing its risk factors and symptoms can help you get medical advice early. Not all types of eye cancer can be prevented, but you can protect your eyes by limiting UV exposure, having regular eye check-ups and noticing any unusual changes in your vision. If you notice any changes that worry you, speak to a doctor. Early advice can help you get the right care when needed. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Eye cancer. nhs.uk. October 18, 2017. Accessed September 4, 2026. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/eye-cancer/ 

2. Can Eye Cancer Be Found Early? | American Cancer Society. Accessed September 9, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/eye-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/detection.html 

3. Types of eye cancer. Accessed September 4, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/eye-cancer/stages-types/types 

4. Mahendraraj K, Lau CS, Lee I, Chamberlain RS. Trends in incidence, survival, and management of uveal melanoma: a population-based study of 7,516 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (1973-2012). Clin Ophthalmol. 2016;10:2113-2119. doi:10.2147/OPTH.S113623. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27822007/

5. Australia H. Eye cancer. May 6, 2026. Accessed September 4, 2026. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/eye-cancer 

6. Intraocular (Uveal) Melanoma Treatment – NCI. February 10, 2026. Accessed September 4, 2026. https://www.cancer.gov/types/eye/patient/intraocular-melanoma-treatment-pdq 

7. Retinoblastoma | National Eye Institute. Accessed September 4, 2026. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinoblastoma 

8. Risks and causes of eye cancer. Accessed September 4, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/eye-cancer/risks-causes 

9. Signs and Symptoms of Eye Cancer. Accessed September 4, 2026. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/eye-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html 

10. Eye Cancer. Accessed September 4, 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/eyecancer.html 

11. Radiotherapy for eye cancer. Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/eye-cancer/treatment/radiotherapy 

12. Treating retinoblastoma. Accessed September 7, 2026. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/childrens-cancer/eye-cancer-retinoblastoma/treatment 

13. Melanoma of the eye: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Accessed September 4, 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001022.htm 

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