Diagnosing OM

Diagnosing Ocular Melanoma

Ocular Melanoma is usually diagnosed by an optometrist or an ophthalmologist during a routine eye exam, when a doctor looks inside the eye with special lights and instruments.

Ocular Melanoma (OM) can occur in the iris, the ciliary body or the choroid. OMs in the iris occur in the front, colored part of the eye. Melanomas in the iris usually grow slowly and do not usually spread to other parts of the body. OMs in the ciliary body and the choroid occur in the back part of the eye and are grouped by the size of the tumor:

• Small: 1.0-2.5mm in height; greater than 5mm at the base
• Medium:  2.5-10mm in height; less than or equal to 16mm at the base
• Large:  greater than 10mm in height; greather than 16mm at the base

Often, ocular melanoma is asymptomatic until the tumor grows large enough to create visual disturbances. Only OM of the iris can be diagnosed by external examination. For detection of OM of the choroid or ciliary body, a thorough ophthalmic examination is needed.

Other Ocular Melanoma Terms:

• Extraocular extension– The melanoma has spread outside the eye by extending through the wall of the eye, the sclera.
• Recurrent– Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated.
• Metastatic– Metastatic melanoma means that the tumor has spread from the eye to distant organs, usually to the liver.

What does Ocular Melanoma look like?

Ocular Melanoma symptoms can vary depending on where the melanoma is. If OM starts in the iris, it may look like a dark spot on the iris or the pupil may be come distorted. If it is in the ciliary body or the choroid, a person may have blurry vision, decreased visual acuity, or may have no symptoms, and the cancer may grow before it is noticed.