Non-cancerous tumours of the eye
A non-cancerous (benign) tumour of the eye is a growth that does not spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Non-cancerous tumours are not usually life-threatening. They may or may not need to be treated.
There are many types of non-cancerous tumours of the eye.
Eye moles
Eye moles (also called nevi or a nevus) are the most common non-cancerous
tumours of the eye. Nevi of the eye, like nevi of the skin, develop when
melanocytes (cells that produce
Eye moles come in many shapes, sizes and colours. Most of the time, they appear as a round, dark brown spot or freckle.
Tell your doctor if you notice something new or different about your eye, like a spot or freckle. Your doctor will examine the size and shape of new spots to look for any signs that you may have developed cancer of the eye.
Hemangiomas
Hemangiomas are slow-growing non-cancerous tumours that develop from the cells of a blood vessel. Several types of hemangiomas can develop in the eye.
Choroidal hemangiomas develop in the blood vessels of the choroid.
Retinal hemangiomas develop in the blood vessels of the retina.
Cavernous hemangiomas develop in the blood vessels of the eye socket behind the eye. They are more common in adults.
Capillary hemangiomas develop in the blood vessels of the eye socket and eyelid. They are sometimes called a “strawberry birthmark” because of their bright red colour. These hemangiomas are more common in children.
Most hemangiomas of the eye don’t cause any symptoms. Many go away on their own and don’t need treatment. They can be managed by regular eye exams to keep track of any changes and make sure they are not causing any problems.
If a hemangioma begins to cause issues (for example, a choroidal hemangioma begins leaking fluid), you may need treatment. Treatment for hemangiomas can include:
- surgery
- cryosurgery
- laser therapy
-
photodynamic therapy - radiation therapy
-
corticosteroids
Other non-cancerous tumours
Other types of non-cancerous tumours of the eye include:
- hidrocystomas
- pterygium
- pinguecula
- congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE)
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