Eye tumors arise from the interior structure of the eye or occur in the outer parts or peripheral tissues of the eye, such as the eyelid, orbit, conjunctiva, cornea, and lacrimal glands. Furthermore, other cancers, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, blood cancer, and lymphoma, which sometimes develop in the body, can spread through the bloodstream and form metastatic eye tumors. If the eye tumor is close to the point of vision or the optic nerve area, it may cause vision impairment at an early stage. Fluid accumulation or fluid build-up in the retina layer of the eye causes visual disorders. Strabismus (misaligned eyes), which is deemed to be a sign of intraocular tumors in children, must be regarded seriously. Intraocular tumors are mostly accompanied by symptoms such as redness, pain and blurred vision. If the flow of fluid (aqueous humor) produced in the eye is imbalanced, the eye pressure may increase and eventually cause glaucoma.
Photodynamic Laser treatment for intraocular tumors. When the thickness of the intraocular tumor identified in the eye is smaller than 2 mm, Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with laser technology can be used for effective treatment. Bu using this method, intraocular tumor cells are marked with a drug (agent) through artery infusion and tumor cells are targeted and destroyed by laser application. By applying this up-to-date treatment method, tumor cells are destroyed without damaging surrounding tissues. In particular, it is extensively used in vascular tumors of the eye, called choroidal and retinal hemangioma.
Selective Ophthalmic Chemotherapy in Children with Retinoblastoma (Eye Cancer). Retinoblastoma is regarded as the most common eye cancer found in children. This tumor can develop in children in one or both eyes immediately after the birth or up to 4 years of age. However, delays in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, can cause the spread of tumor cells in the brain, bone marrow and the rest of the body. In the treatment of this tumor, which is very sensitive to chemotherapy, chemotherapy is considered to be the up-to-date and the most effective treatment method, with application of chemotherapy targeting only the eye affected by the tumor, through infusion in patient’s groin by administering the angio-catheter procedure. This treatment can be applied in combination with other therapies such as laser, cryotherapy etc.
Stem cell treatment in ocular surface tumors of the eye. Tumours covering the surface of the eye, the membranes of the eye, cause permanent impairment of vision by damaging the corneal layer and creating new blood vessels. For these affected patients, limbal 'stem cells' obtained from a healthy eye are transplanted into the eye with tumor, after tumour in the eye has been completely removed. Stem cell transplantation can be applied to all types of eye diseases as well as eye tumors.
The Application of Amniotic Membrane Transplantation (AMT) in Ocular Surface Disorders. Amniotic membrane transplantation, one of the options for surgical procedure of pathologies occurring on the surface of the eye after various diseases and traumas, is considered the most effective surgical treatment. The amniotic membrane is a thin membrane layer of the placenta that is very similar to the membrane of the eye and contains various stem cells. Amniotic membrane obtained after effective caesarean delivery under clean and sterile conditions, without any infectious disease is extensively used in the treatment of various eye disorders. This process, which is actually a tissue transplantation, is a very special procedure, because it is aborned disease, not acquired by death. Stem cells in the amniotic membrane are very useful in the treatment of ocular surface diseases.
Radioactive Plaque Therapy for Eye Tumors. Another method of treating intraocular tumors is the application of radioactive plaques. By using this method, the membranes of the eye are surgically opened and the plaque is positioned on the surface of the eyeball directly over the tumor inside the eye. The plaque, which can be fixed onto the surface of the eye with the help of holes, is surgically removed after 5 days. Using the radioactive plaque treatment, eye tumors with thickness up to 6 mm are successfully cured.
CyberKnife-SRT in the treatment of intraocular tumors (Melanoma): Intraocular tumors usually emerge near the optic layer or optic nerve. Melanomas, one of the most common malignancies found in adults, can spread to the body and become life-threatening if left untreated. Melanomas, previously used to be treated with the removal of the eyeball, now have become curable saving the patient’s eyes and ability to see. With this aim, the most modern device CyberKnife uses leading-edge robotics technology, computer technology and sensitive radiation technology for treatment of intraocular tumors without damaging sensitive eye tissues such as eyes, retina and optic nerve. In this way, it enables to treat intraocular tumors with delivery precision of one tenth of a millimetre.
Retina: The retina is a thin white layer of tissue that covers the back of the eyeball. The retina is the light-receiving layer of the eye made up of nerve cells. There can be a number of problems with the nerve cells in the retina or the blood vessels feeding it. The causes of these problems vary depending on the patient’s age. Retinal diseases: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), Retinal Hernias, Retinal Detachment, Yellow Spot Disease, Retinal Vein and Artery Blockages (or Occlusions), Macular Hole (or Foramen), Benign and Malignant Tumors of the Retina or Vascular Layer, Metastases, etc. Depending on the cause, medical retinal therapy or vitreoretinal surgery may be applied for the treatment of retinal diseases.
Vitrectomy surgery. Vitrectomy is a type of eye surgical procedure undertaken where the vitreous tissue in the eye is partially or completely removed. In the treatment of diseases of the back of the eye, it may be necessary to remove part or all of the vitreous humor and replace with another solution. The vitreous humor comprises a large portion of the eyeball. It's structure is transparent and gel-like. Vitrectomy is performed by inserting small instruments into the eye and removing the vitreous. The surgery is performed with or without suturing. Vitrectomy is performed in the treatment of various eye diseases. For instance, diabetic eye diseases, bleeding in the eye, a hole in the macula, problems in the retina, infection in the interior part of the eye, and so on. Depending on the size of the retinal tears, laser, gas or silicone tampon methods may also be applied in the treatment.
Corneal Transplantation:The cornea is the clear layer on the front of your eye that helps focus light so you can see clearly. If it gets damaged, you might need to have it replaced.A cornea transplant is most often used to restore vision to a person with a damaged cornea. A cornea transplant can also relieve pain or other signs and symptoms associated with cornea diseases.
A number of conditions can be treated with a cornea transplant, including:
- A cornea that bulges outward (keratoconus)
- Fuchs' dystrophy, a hereditary condition
- Thinning or tearing of the cornea
- Cornea scarring, caused by infection or injury
- Swelling of the cornea
- Corneal ulcers not responding to medical treatment
-
Every examination and operation related to the disease should be performed by a properly equipped hospital with the latest medical technology and professional academic medical staff. The Turkish Health Group will definitely direct you to the hospitals with the most modern medical equipment and professional medical staff related to your disease. Contact us for more information and a free second medical reference from a professional Turkish doctors.