Eye tumors | Moorfields Eye Hospitals UAE

About Eye Tumor

Tumours inside and on the surface of the eye can be benign or malignant, and can also be primary or secondary tumours. Certain lesions in the eye such as naevi or moles are very common, and usually do not require treatment. Other lesions such as melanoma are rare, and require specialised treatment such as surgery or radiotherapy.

Risk factors

Exposure to natural sunlight or artificial sunlight (such as from tanning beds) over long periods of time may cause a melanoma on the surface of the eye (conjunctival melanoma)
Having light-colored eyes (blue or green eyes)
Older age
Caucasian descent
Having certain inherited skin conditions, such as dysplastic nevus syndrome, which cause abnormal moles
Family history
having a mole in the eye or on the eye’s surface

Types of Eye Tumours

Naevus and Melanoma

Naevus is a benign mole on the eye. Some occur on the surface of the eye, in the conjunctiva, but others are found inside the eye, in the iris, ciliary body or choroid. The ophthalmologist often finds these moles inside the eye, during an examination. Most moles should be monitored, although some may require treatment if they are causing vision problems. If moles show any sign of change, such as an increase in size or development of suspicious features, then treatment might be necessary. If they have become

Retinoblastoma (childhood cancer)

This is a childhood cancer of the developing retina and is rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 18,000 live births. It presents with a white-eye pupil reflex or a squint, though there are many other more common causes of these clinical signs. Retinoblastoma can occur in one or both eyes depending on the timing of the genetic mutation that causes tumour formation. Treatment is complex, ranging from chemotherapy to localised treatments such as laser, cryotherapy, localised chemotherapy, radiation, or eye removal.

Vascular tumours of the eye

Haemangiomas and vasoproliferative tumours are benign vascular tumours and most are asymptomatic. Some types of vascular tumour can be part of generalised disorders, such as von Hippel Lindau syndrome or Sturge Weber syndrome, but other haemangiomas are not part of a syndrome. The type of treatment depends on the type of lesion and its features, such as the disturbance of surrounding tissues and its potential to cause future problems with sight or the eye. A range of treatments can be used, from laser to photodynamic therapy and radiotherapy.

Other tumours

Other tumours of the eye are very rare. Examples include osteomas, which can cause visual problems. Lymphoma of the eye (primary intraocular or vitreoretinal lymphoma) can affect the vitreous and retina, and usually requires extensive treatment by an oncologist. Local treatments with intravitreal methotrexate injections are sometimes necessary to control ocular disease. Choroidal lymphomas may be primary and are often low grade, and usually respond well to radiotherapy treatment.

Secondary tumours

Cancers from other sites in the body can move into the eye. In many cases, the site of the primary cancer is already known but in about one third of cases, the first presentation of the cancer is in the eye itself and an extensive investigation is then required. Treatment would be directed towards the underlying cancer, as well as the eye condition, using radiotherapy, and in some cases local treatment to the eye may be necessary to preserve vision.

Causes

The exact cause of most eye cancers is not known. But scientists have found that the disease is linked with some other conditions, noted below. A great deal of research is being done to learn more about the causes.

Symptoms

Shadows, flashes of light, or wiggly lines in your vision.
Blurred vision.
A dark patch in your eye that’s getting bigger.
Partial or total loss of vision.
Bulging of 1 eye.
A lump on your eyelid or in your eye that’s increasing in size.
Pain in or around your eye, although this is rare.

Eye Tumor Specialists

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Dubai

Dr. Wajiha Kheir

Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Medical Retina and Ocular Oncology

Dr. Wajiha Kheir is a visiting Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Consultant Ophthalmologist, specialised in Medical Retina and Ocular Oncology at Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. Dr. Wajiha completed her undergraduate studies and medical education at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. She was awarded the BSc degree in Biology (2009) with high distinction and the Penrose Award, and the MD degree (2013) with induction to the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) – Honor Medical Society. She then completed a year of Internal medicine Internship followed by three years of Ophthalmology residency at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (2017). Her subsequent sub-specialty training includes one year of Medical Retina fellowship and one year of Ocular Oncology with Clinical Pathology Concentration fellowship, both at the Duke Eye Center, Duke University School of Medicine. She has more than five years of regional and international experience in Medical Retinal and Ocular Oncology in the United States and Lebanon. In her career, she has practiced in leading medical institutions such as Duke University Health System and the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Dr. Wajiha has eighteen peer-reviewed journal articles and 10 book chapters published. To date, her research work has been presented in over twenty posters and/or paper presentations at regional and international conferences. Her research interests relate to age-related macular degeneration, ophthalmic oncology, radiation retinopathy as well as retinal degenerations and electrophysiology of vision. She is a member of the AOA Medical Honor Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retinal Specialists and the International Society of Ocular Oncology.

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