| EYE TUMORS | | | | Melanocytoma. Iris melanoma is the term used if the |
| Seventy-five percent of eye tumors in the cat are | | | | pigmented area on the iris is raised. This is a |
| malignant, aggressive forms of cancer (in dogs the | | | | cancerous lesion. Treatment involves using a diode |
| ratio is reversed, 75 percent of tumors are benign | | | | laser to destroy the cancer cells. Without treatment, |
| and do not spread or become life-threatening). An Iris | | | | Iris melanoma is generally result in Glaucoma. |
| melanoma is the most common type of tumor | | | | Glaucoma occurs because the cancer cells spread and |
| affecting cat's eyes. Older cats may develop a visible | | | | obstruct the drainage angle of the eye, which is |
| brown or black spot on the iris of their eye. The Iris | | | | where the fluid within the eye normally drains. Since |
| is the colored part of the eye. The spots may be | | | | fluid can not drain from the eye, it builds up within |
| single or multiple and are pigmented cells called | | | | the eye which increases pressure within the eye and |
| Melanocytes that have overgrown. Examination | | | | causes Glaucoma. In dogs, Glaucoma rapidly results in |
| involves the use of a slit-lamp biomicroscope, which | | | | blindness due to irreversible damage to the retina. |
| determines whether or not the tumor is cancerous. If | | | | The only sign of Glaucoma in cats may be a slight |
| the pigmented area on the iris is flat, the lesion is | | | | difference in the size of the pupils which are the dark |
| referred to as an Ins Melanosis. This is considered to | | | | central area of the eye. Surgical removal of the eye, |
| be pre-cancerous and is rechecked at six-month | | | | which is called Enucleation, is often necessary in |
| intervals. | | | | advanced cases of Ins Melanoma. This alleviates the |
| IRIS MELANOMA / GLAUCOMA | | | | pain of Glaucoma and removes the cancerous mass. |
| Iris melanoma is also called Melanosis and/or | | | | |