Orbital tumors are tumors of the eye socket, including eye and the nerves that connect it with the brain. Although usually eye tumors accepted as harmless (they do not spread to other organs and lead to life-threatening conditions)occasionally they may become harmful tumors (or eye cancer) and danger the life of person directly. Besides, considering eye socket as being fairly small together with organs and tissues, harmless eye tumors may also cause medical problems that impact the sight of a person or even result in temporary or permanent blindness. Consequently, the whole cases of eye tumor should seek treatment, generally an orbital tumor removal.
Any form of eye tumor or eye cancer identified patients are candidates for the eye tumor removal since, as indicated previously, even harmless eye tumors may impact the sight. Nevertheless, the form of operation, from small treatments to major invasive surgeries, depends on the location and kinds of the tumor.
The most apparent symptom of eye tumor is from exophthalmos – bulging eye. While one-eyed exophthalmos is usually a sign of the orbital tumor, two-eyed exophthalmos may imply some other medical problems.
Orbital Tumor Removal (24 Clinics)
There are no major contraindications for orbital tumor removal. Particular patients may not be suitable for some eye surgery methods. However, it is not indicated that they will be unsuitable for all eye tumor removal methods.
For doctors to prepare you appropriately, they should be informed about your medical histories, such as your conditions and medications. Besides, you should fast for the day of your surgery.
Orbital tumor removal may be seen in various forms. It depends on the kind, place, and general characteristics (harmless eye tumor or eye cancer.) In regards to small harmless eye tumors, removal of the tumor with surrounding tissue may be enough to leave the eye mostly untouched. On the other hand, if an eye tumor becomes eye cancer, the extent of orbital tumor removal will be increased by it and covers the entire eye.To radical forms of radical eye tumor removal belong:
• Evisceration – removal of the contents of the eyeball without resecting the eyeball itself
• Enucleation – removing an eyeball to fight the eye cancer
• Exenteration – removing not just the eyeball but also the orbital socket to fight with eye cancer which has already spread outside of one’s eyeball
The recovery period of orbital tumor removal changes depending on the kind of the surgery and potential difficulties it may bring. While some patients can leave after short monitoring, others may need an around 7-day stay. Some also may need a rehabilitation process.
While carrying heavyweights after the eye surgery is discouraged, attending the appointments at the doctor’s office regularly is advised.
Getting an artificial eye and/or a plastic surgery may be the final step of recovery from orbital tumor removal. This will interest especially patients of evisceration, enucleation, and exenteration.
The potential risks that may come from orbital tumor removal surgeries include;
• Infection
• Accidental spreading of tumor cells to other parts of one’s eye
• Bleeding
• Problems with sight
The major effect will be eye removal and consequently, learning to live with just one eye if more radical orbital tumor removal surgeries are performed. Using artificial eyeball for aesthetic motives are considered for several patients after evisceration, enucleation, or exenteration procedures.
What Is an Orbital Tumor? The orbital tumor is a tumor which grows within one's orbital socket. While usually orbital tumors are benign eye tumors, sometimes they may take the form of eye cancer.
Is Orbital Tumor Removal Possible Without Eye Removal? Yes, small orbital tumors may be removed without seriously affecting the eye. However, bigger tumors and eye cancers may require evisceration, enucleation, or exenteration eye surgeries, which are connected with eye removal.
What Are Eye Tumor Symptoms Easy to Spot?
The most apparent symptom of eye tumor belongs to exophthalmos or eye bulging. If exophthalmos seen in only one eye, there is a possibility that it is a sign of an orbital tumor.
Up to 6 weeks
Up to 6 weeks
This content is written and reviewed by our medical content team in August, 2019.