Ocular melanoma is a kind of eye cancer that starts in melanocytes in the eyes. It is a unique type of eye cancer, not commonly seen. It may or may not cause any symptoms in the beginning.(1)(2)
What To Eat And Avoid When You Have Ocular Melanoma?
There is no specific diet to cure or treat ocular melanoma. However, certain guidelines related to diet and lifestyle can help you recover faster and impart the required health and nutrition to your eyes. These guidelines may also help you in preventing the spread of ocular melanoma to other body parts, to some extent, by imparting you a better immunity. These guidelines may include the following-
- Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. These are rich in antioxidants, the compounds that put up a fight against the free radicals (free radicals may lead to cancer, as per many studies)
- Include lots of greens in your diet. These are especially good for the eyes.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration can damage your eyesight as well
- Try maintaining a healthy weight. Obesity can lead to many problems, as is a known fact
- Staying physically active can go a long way in keeping you generally healthy.
- Stay away from smoking, tobacco chewing, and substance abuse. All of these are potential risk factors for developing cancers. If you already have ocular melanoma, you do not want to make it worse by sticking to these habits.
- Limit alcohol and if possible, try to give up completely. Excessive alcohol can cause ocular hypertension, which can be quite dangerous especially if you have ocular melanoma
- Take your blood pressure medication on time. Missing a dose may seem unimportant, but can lead to serious eye problems, especially if you already have ocular melanoma
- Pay regular visits to your ophthalmologist, to maintain your eye health and arrest any progressing eye problems at the earliest(2)
Coping With Ocular Melanoma
Ocular melanoma can present you with certain challenges, especially related to your vision. The treatment, as well as the melanoma, can cause changes to your vision. If the melanoma or its treatment leads to a complete loss of vision in one eye, it is still quite possible for you to perform almost all activities with vision in one eye. However, it may take several months for you to get adjusted to your new vision.
Your ability to gauge the distance might be hampered with just the vision in one eye present. It is especially troublesome when looking at things on the side which has no vision. Your doctor may suggest a support group or an occupational therapist who may guide you in accommodating and adjusting with your new vision, by devising some simple strategies.
Your ophthalmologist can suggest a support group that can be of immense help to you in coping up with your situation. Hearing and talking to people who have similar problems can make it a tad easier for you to cope up with your own condition.
Talking to those close to you can make it easier for you and them to understand your situation better. They can help you cope up with your condition by keeping you positively motivated.(3)
Conclusion
Ocular melanoma is cancer that starts in the melanocytes in eyes-the cells that impart color to your eyes. Melanocytes are present in the body and they impart color to your hair and skin too. Though a specific diet cannot treat or cure an ocular melanoma, it can certainly help you in staying healthy. It can also help in maintaining your eye health.
A good diet can enhance your immunity, thereby helping you with the prevention of the spread of cancer to other body parts. Certain dietary and lifestyle changes can help you avoid the worsening of your condition to a great extent.
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