Home About Find a Physician Healthcare Services For Patients & Visitors Careers Site Index Contact Us
Home Healthcare Services Ophthalmology Ocular Oncology

Ocular oncology is a subspecialty of ophthalmology that deals with tumors of the eye or surrounding tissues. Patients can have primary tumors within the eye, which require special treatments if there is to be hope of preserving the eye and any useful vision. The most common primary tumor in the adult population is choroidal melanoma. This is very similar to melanoma seen in skin cancer. Other tumors include metastatic choroidal tumors from cancers involving other areas of the body. Common examples are cancers arising in the breast, prostate, and lung.

For most ocular cancers, treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, laser treatment and limited surgical excision. The risks and benefits of treatment must be weighed against simply removing the eye (enucleation).