Eye cancer

Posted by caz64 @caz64, 6 days ago

Hi,
Have an appointment with my doctor on thursday.
ScaredI have eye cancer.
Female 61. No medications etc
Week ago I noticed streaks of light in the corner of my right eye. Also some floaters appeared. These streaks of light are only seen in the dark, at night or early early orning.
Have researched and it is either the vitreous membrane breaking away or eye melanoma.
Scared...feel sick just thinking about it.
Am hoping it is not anything serious but...
Thanks for reading.

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isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | 3 days ago

@caz64 A few years ago during a period of unrelenting stress (both in my private and work lives) I got what turned out to be terrible scleritis. I saw a number of doctors who dismissed my right eye issues and sent me away with eye drops. Finally a locum worked out what it might me (thank goodness for her) and referred me to an ophthalmologist. In the nick of time.

Mine is probably also auto immune related (my father has alopecia and psoriasis) and as part of a treatment plan I tested positive for the AS gene.

I’ve been in remission and it plays up infrequently now and then but I now know to jump on it early and quickly with my ophthalmologist. My symptoms have included light sensitivity, floaters, flashing lights, a feeling that my eyeball is being squeezed in a vice, a sharp pain above the eyebrow etc. Scary.

Like you I’m glad mine was not cancer but the eye is a very specialised organ and I would also recommend a referral to the ophthalmologist ASAP.

scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | 3 days ago

IANAD but flashes of light can be an early symptom of retinal detachment. I had this in my right eye and the doctor found my retina was about 25% detached. They fixed it with a quick (but painful) laser procedure and I've been fine ever since.

leigha67 | @leigha67 | 3 days ago

In reply to @caz64 "Thank you. What symptoms did you have?" + (show)

I had a single arc of light that continued for 8 months until it was diagnosed. Then I had more flashing lights and thought I saw shadows of things that weren't really there. The most important thing is for you to see an eye doctor asap. If you tell them about the lights, they may try to get you in quickly. Ophthalmologists are good for that sort of thing, but any eye doctor who is good, listens to your concerns and does appropriate tests should be able to determine whether you need a retinal specialist.