Experts have urged the public to be vigilant for seven key signs of eye cancer that are often ignored or mistaken for harmless conditions.
Among the changes highlighted by ophthalmologists are blurred vision and eye irritation that doesn’t respond to standard treatments – which many people attribute to staring at screens for too long.
According to Cancer Research UK, cases of eye cancer in the UK are steadily increasing, with incidence rates increasing by almost a third since the early 1990s.
Although it is most commonly seen in those over 50, the number of younger patients diagnosed is increasing and many cases go unnoticed until the cancer is advanced.
The most common type is ocular melanoma, a skin cancer that forms in the middle of the eyeball – and UV exposure, from the sun or deck chairs, is a potential trigger.
Other symptoms include sudden vision changes, loss of peripheral vision, and seeing “flashes” or “dark shapes.”
Dark spots appearing on the iris – the colored part of the eyeball – are another red flag, as are bumps and swelling around the eye.
Redness or irritation of the eye that persists despite standard treatment should also be investigated, warned Neil Laird, optometrist at online eye health store Pure Optical.
Experts have urged the public to be vigilant for seven key signs of eye cancer that are often ignored or mistaken for harmless conditions.
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“Many people tend to overlook changes in their vision or the appearance of their eyes, thinking it is simply the result of aging, stress or simply using their devices for too long,” said Mr. Laird.
“Identifying these subtle signs early on can be crucial.
“Many of these symptoms may seem like harmless conditions, which is why they can be easily dismissed.”
“However, if something seems abnormal or lasts longer than expected, it is always wise to have it checked out.
“Eye cancer does not necessarily mean a death sentence if detected early.”
People who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with melanoma have a 30 to 50 percent increased risk of developing eye cancer, Laird added.
“Protecting your eyes from UV rays is also crucial, as UV exposure can lead to rare forms of eye cancer, such as conjunctival melanoma.”
“To minimize this risk, wear quality sunglasses that block UV rays or add a layer of UV protection to your everyday glasses.”
The NHS recommends an eye test every two years, or once a year if you are at increased risk.
Early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes, with approximately 95 percent of people diagnosed with eye cancer surviving for a year or more.
Other types of cancers that affect the eyes include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which are also types of skin cancer that can affect the eyelids.
Tear gland cancer is a rare type that begins in the glands that produce fluid that cleans and protects the surface of the eyelid.
Rhabdomyosarcoma – a cancer that affects the muscles, tendons and nerves – can also occur around the eye.
It mainly affects young children, but it is sometimes diagnosed in babies and the elderly.
Children under 16, young adults aged 16-18 in full-time education and those aged 60 are eligible for free checks on the High Street.
People registered as visually impaired or blind, who have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma, or who have a family history of glaucoma, are also eligible for free testing.
“Although eye cancer doesn’t get as much attention as other types, its effects can be just as significant,” Mr Laird said.
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“This year, make it a point to focus on your eye health by booking a routine eye exam or seeking professional advice if you notice any unusual changes.”
People at greatest risk of eye cancer are those with lighter eyes (blue, gray, or green eyes) and pale skin.
People with irregularly shaped or unusually colored moles are also more likely to develop the condition.
A recent study comparing eye cancer statistics in Canada over time found that approximately 7.2 percent of patients were under the age of 40 between 1992 and 2010, and that figure increased to 7.4 percent between 2011 and 2017.
The warnings come amid a global rise in cancers among young people, with women most affected.
Earlier this month, worrying new data revealed that British women under 50 are around 70% more likely to develop cancer than men of the same age.
A similar trend has emerged in the United States, where the number of women under 50 is now 82 percent higher than men of the same age, compared to a difference of 51 percent two decades ago.
This gender gap comes amid a meteoric rise in disease among young people on both sides of the Atlantic, with cancer cases among those under 50 increasing by 79 percent globally since the 1990s.
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In the UK, cases of certain forms such as breast and bowel cancer in some younger age groups have increased by 17 per cent and 63 per cent respectively.
One reason is declining rates of certain cancers that affect men.
These include cases of melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, blood cancer and prostate cancer.
At the same time, cases of cancer affecting women have increased among younger women, American Cancer Society experts explain in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Nearly half of all cancer cases affecting young women under 50 now involve the breast or thyroid.
Thyroid cancer – which affects the tiny butterfly-shaped gland in the neck – has soared 256 percent.
The researchers added that changes in cancer screening practices could also have led to an increase in the number of diagnoses among younger women.