How to Detect Eye Cancer

So many people take their eyesight for granted and may not give it any thought at all until there's the possibility that they might lose it. Regular checkups are the best way to keep your eyesight protected, but knowing what to look for yourself is a good place to start.

Instructions

• 1

  Inspect photographs and portraits. Normally, a healthy eye will reflect the light of a camera flash back to the camera with a reddish glow (photographic red-eye). One particular type of cancer, retinoblastoma, will cause the eye to reflect back a whitish to yellowish glow. This cancer occurs most frequently in young children and infants, and it's possible to detect by simply inspecting photographs of the child.

• 2

  Visually inspect the eye closely or by using a mirror, looking for any dark spots. Melanomas can occur on the eye much in the way skin melanomas can appear as dark spots on the skin. Pay particular attention to any spot that continues to grow over time.

• 3

  Be aware of any of the following symptoms: Double vision, blurred vision and steadily decreasing vision. These symptoms may not occur until a tumor has grown considerably. Early tumors may not have any symptoms and may not be detected early except by a doctor or specialist during routine eye exams.