Shingles in the Eye: Symptoms, Complications, and More
Eye Cancer: The Telltale Sign In Your Eyes That Could Be A Symptom Of Deadly Disease
Eye cancer is rare, but the number of people diagnosed with the disease is expected to rise in the UK over the coming years - as Cancer Research revealed 850 people are diagnosed each year
850 people are diagnosed with eye cancer every year (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The number of people diagnosed with eye cancer is expected to rise in the UK over the coming years. According to Cancer Research, 850 people are diagnosed with the illness every year - which amounts to more than two people every day.
But this figure is predicted to increase to more than 2,000 new cases every year by 2038-2040.
Like most types of cancer, catching it early and receiving a diagnosis as soon as possible is the key to effective treatment and increased survival rate - which currently stands at 60%.
But Brits should be mindful of the fact that eye cancer symptoms can easily be overlooked or be mistaken for less serious health issues - one of those being blurred vision.
Blurred vision can be caused by many eye conditions, including near-sightedness or far-sightedness. But it can also be a warning sign of cancer.
While there are different types of cancer that affecting the eye, the most common is eye melanoma. Melanoma is a cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes. Eye melanoma most commonly affects the eyeball, but can sometimes affect the conjunctiva (the thin layer that covers the front of the eye) or the eyelid.
There are different types of cancer that can affect the eye, the most common being eye melanoma (Image:
Getty Images)If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs.
The NHS says that eye cancer will not always present itself with symptoms, and is often picked up during routine eye tests. But those who have it may also notice symptoms, including shadows, flashes of light, or wiggly lines in your vision, blurred vision and a dark patch in your eye that's getting bigger.
It's crucial to remember that these symptoms don't always mean you have eye cancer. Issues like blurry vision or irritated eyes can be due to less serious problems, like conjunctivitis, which can be sorted with antibiotics.
The causes of eye cancer are not entirely clear, but some factors may increase the risk of it happening, including if you have a lighter eye colour, white or pale skin and unusual moles.
If you are worried about eye cancer, you should get in touch with your doctor as soon as possible, as early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment.
Treatments like brachytherapy might be used, where small plates covered in radioactive stuff are put near the tumour and left for up to a week to kill the cancer cells. Other treatments could include external radiotherapy and surgery.
5 Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) Symptoms
What does pink eye look like? Early-stage pink eye, or conjunctivitis, symptoms include eye itching and irritation. You might later notice eye discharge, redness, and swelling. Pink eye occurs when the conjunctiva becomes irritated or infected. The conjunctiva is the thin, smooth layer of tissue that lines the surface of your eye and the inside of your eyelid.
Pink eye symptoms can vary based on type. Viral conjunctivitis, for example, is more likely to cause swollen lymph nodes than other types. Read on to learn more about what pink eye looks like and when to see a healthcare provider.
Pink eye symptoms are usually mild and clear up within a few days. Severe cases, in contrast, may affect your vision. A healthcare provider may prescribe antibacterial or antiviral medications, depending on the cause. 1. Eye Irritation One of the most common symptoms of pink eye is eye irritation, which includes burning and itching. Those symptoms can be bothersome but are rarely painful. Eye irritation, for example, might cause trouble wearing contact lenses. Some people with pink eye describe a gritty sensation, which may cause discomfort. This sensation often feels like a foreign body in one or both of your eyes. 2. Eye Redness Pink eye causes the inflamed conjunctiva to have more visible blood vessels than normal. The whites of your eye, as a result, may appear rosy or crimson if you have pink eye. Eye redness is typically one of the first distinct signs of pink eye that adults notice in infants and children. 3. Eye Swelling The conjunctiva may appear puffy, and your eyelids can swell. You might also notice swelling of the lymph nodes around your ears. 4. Secretion Discharge Your conjunctiva is made up of the same smooth, mucus-producing tissue that lines your nose and mouth. The inflamed tissue produces secretions, similar to the way your nose drips and your mouth waters. Those secretions range from watery to pus-like, depending on the cause of your pink eye. Your lashes may stick together. Watery or thick discharge may blur your vision. Consult a healthcare provider if vision changes do not resolve after rinsing your eyes with artificial tears. 5. Vision Changes Most pink eye cases do not affect the vision. Severe cases, however, may cause scarring on the cornea that can permanently alter your vision. Signs of severe pink eye include an inability to tolerate bright lights and blurry visions. Those symptoms could mean the infection has spread beyond the conjunctiva. Visit a healthcare provider right away if you suspect severe pink eye. Allergens, bacteria, and viruses can cause different types of pink eye. You may be able to distinguish between the types depending on your symptoms. Newborns may develop pink eye but can have distinct symptoms from children and adults. Allergic Conjunctivitis Itching is more likely to occur with allergic conjunctivitis than other types of pink eye. Exposure to allergens, such as pet dander, pollen, or wildfire smoke, causes allergic conjunctivitis. Other allergic conjunctivitis symptoms include: Burning Puffy eyelids, especially in the morning Redness String eye discharge Watery eyes Widened blood vessels that cover the white of your eye Bacterial Conjunctivitis This contagious type of pink eye is caused by bacteria, including Streptococcus (step). Bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms include: Little to no eye discharge Redness Soreness Sticky pus Neonatal Conjunctivitis This type of pink eye, which occurs in newborns, can be severe. Talk with a healthcare provider or a pediatric ophthalmologist right away if you spot eye redness. Other neonatal conjunctivitis symptoms include: Puffy eyelids Tenderness Thick pus-like drainage that may be bloody or watery Viral Conjunctivitis The same viruses that cause colds may cause viral conjunctivitis. Symptoms include: Burning Redness Swelling of the lymph nodes Watery discharge You can typically treat pink eye at home with artificial tears and cold compresses to reduce swelling and redness. Healing time depends on the type of pink eye. Mild symptoms usually get better on their own within seven to 10 days. Contact a healthcare provider if you have: Blurry vision A health condition that weakens your immune system Moderate to severe eye pain More mucus than usual in your eyes during the day or after waking up Sensitivity to light Severe eye redness Symptoms that do not improve after several days A healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotic eye drops and ointments or antiviral medications, depending on the type of pink eye. Those treatments help prevent long-term complications. Pink eye occurs when the thin, smooth layer of tissue lining the surface of your eye and the inside of your eyelid becomes irritated or infected. Symptoms include eye discharge, redness, and swelling. You can usually treat pink eye at home. Symptoms typically go away on their own, but call a healthcare provider if you develop severe symptoms.Thanks for your feedback!
Little-known Eye Cancer Warning Sign That Can Easily Be Missed As Cases Set To Skyrocket
Cases of eye cancer are predicted to spike over the next 15 years - but many symptoms can easily be dismissed as less serious issues such as conjunctivitis. Here's what to look out for and when to contact your GP
Eye cancer is rare - but diagnoses in the UK are expected to rise (Stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)
Whilst eye cancer is one of the rarer forms of the disease, diagnoses in the UK are predicted to skyrocket over the next 15 years.
According to Cancer Research, 850 people in the UK are diagnosed with eye cancer annually, which is more than two people every day. However, this figure is slated to increase to more than 2,000 new cases every year by 2038-2040.
As with most types of cancer, an early diagnosis is key to effective treatment and increased survival rate - which currently stands at 60 per cent. But, many symptoms of the disease can easily be overlooked or blamed on less serious health issues - one of these is blurred vision.
Blurred vision can be caused by many eye conditions, including near-sightedness or far-sightedness. But it can also be a warning sign of cancer. There are different types of cancer that can affect the eye, the most common being eye melanoma.
This can spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs, if left untreated. The NHS states that eye cancer will not always present itself with symptoms, and is often picked up during routine eye tests. However, you should always look out for the following signs:
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It's important to stress that these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a diagnosis of eye cancer. Side effects like blurred vision or eye irritation can be caused by a plethora of less threatening issues - such as conjunctivitis - an infection that can be cleared with antibiotics.
If you're concerned about eye cancer, you should contact your GP as soon as possible. Treatment such as brachytherapy may be used. This is where tiny plates coated in a radioactive material are inserted near the tumour and left in place for up to a week to destroy the cancerous cells. Other treatments may include external radiotherapy and surgery.
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