retinoblastoma is a cancer that starts in the retina, the light-sensing tissue lining the back of the eye. It most often affects infants and young children. It is commonly discussed in pediatric ophthalmology, ocular oncology, and genetics. It is managed using combinations of eye exams, imaging, and treatments aimed at protecting life and, when possible, vision.
conjunctival melanoma is a rare malignant tumor that arises from pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) in the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the thin, clear tissue that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids. This condition is most commonly discussed in eye oncology and ocular surface disease care. It is evaluated and managed by ophthalmologists, often with specialist input when needed.
uveal melanoma is a cancer that starts inside the eye in a layer called the uvea. It develops from pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) and can affect vision. It is most often discussed in ophthalmology, eye oncology, and retinal care settings. It is commonly identified during a dilated eye exam or imaging done for a suspicious spot in the eye.
A prosthetic eye is an artificial eye used to replace the appearance of a missing natural eye. It is designed to look like the other eye, but it does not restore vision. It is commonly used after eye removal surgery or when an eye has become very small and non-seeing. It is fitted and maintained with help from an ophthalmology team and an ocularist (a specialist who makes eye prostheses).
exenteration is a major eye and orbit surgery that removes the contents of the eye socket (orbit). It is most often used to treat serious disease affecting tissues around the eye, especially aggressive cancers. It can also be used in rare, severe infections or destructive conditions when other treatments are unlikely to control the problem. Because it is a life- and tissue-altering operation, planning and follow-up are central parts of care.
evisceration is an eye removal surgery used when an eye cannot be saved and vision is already lost. It removes the internal contents of the eye while leaving the outer white wall (the sclera) in place. It is most commonly used in ophthalmology to relieve pain, treat severe infection, or address irreversible eye damage. It is different from other eye-removal procedures because key outer structures are preserved.
enucleation is a surgery to remove the entire eyeball (globe) from the eye socket. It is most commonly used in severe eye disease, major trauma, or certain eye cancers. The eyelids and surrounding skin are not removed in enucleation. After healing, many people use an ocular prosthesis (artificial eye) for appearance.
retrobulbar hemorrhage is bleeding that collects behind the eyeball inside the orbit. It can increase pressure within the eye socket and affect vision. The term is commonly used in emergency care, trauma care, and postoperative eye surgery monitoring. Clinicians also discuss it as a potential complication of orbital procedures and injections.
cantholysis is a surgical release of the tendon at the corner of the eyelids (the canthus). It is most commonly discussed as part of emergency care for sudden, dangerous eye socket pressure. Clinicians also use it in selected eyelid and orbital procedures to change eyelid tension or access tissues. The goal is to protect eye function or improve surgical exposure by reducing tightness at the eyelid corner.
canthotomy is a minor surgical cut made at the outer corner of the eyelids (the lateral canthus). canthotomy is most commonly used as an emergency eye procedure to relieve dangerous pressure around the eye. canthotomy is often discussed alongside **cantholysis**, which further releases tight eyelid tissues. canthotomy is used in emergency departments, trauma care, and ophthalmology settings when time matters for vision.
chalazion incision and curettage is a minor eyelid procedure used to treat a chalazion. A chalazion is a firm eyelid lump caused by blockage and inflammation of an oil gland. The procedure opens the lesion and removes the thickened contents to help it resolve. It is commonly performed by ophthalmologists, and sometimes by trained clinicians in eye-care settings.
A lacrimal gland tumor is an abnormal growth involving the lacrimal gland, the tear-producing gland in the outer (temple-side) upper orbit. It is a diagnostic term used in eye care and orbital medicine to describe a mass that may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). It is commonly discussed in ophthalmology, oculoplastics (eyelid/orbit surgery), radiology, and pathology. It often presents as swelling in the upper outer eyelid area or a change in eye position.
lymphangioma is a benign (non-cancerous) malformation of lymphatic vessels. It is often present from birth, even if it becomes noticeable later. Around the eye, it can involve the eyelid, conjunctiva, or orbit (the eye socket). The term is commonly used in ophthalmology, radiology, and pathology reports.
A cavernous hemangioma is a benign vascular lesion made of enlarged blood-filled spaces. In the eye and orbit, it most often refers to a slow-flow venous malformation inside the eye socket. It is a common consideration when evaluating painless, gradually progressive eye bulging (proptosis). The term is also used in pathology and imaging reports to describe similar lesions in other body sites.
An orbital tumor is an abnormal growth located in the orbit, the bony socket that contains the eye and its supporting structures. It may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous), and it can arise in the orbit or spread there from elsewhere. The term is commonly used in ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, oncology, and radiology. People often encounter it when evaluating eye bulging, double vision, eyelid swelling, or unexplained changes in vision.
A blowout fracture is a break in one or more thin bones of the eye socket (orbit) after blunt facial trauma. It most often involves the orbital floor or the medial wall near the nose. The term is commonly used in emergency medicine, ophthalmology, and facial trauma care. It matters because it can affect eye position, eye movement, and vision-related symptoms.
An orbital fracture is a break in one or more bones that form the eye socket (the orbit). It most often happens after blunt facial trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, or vehicle collisions. The term is used in emergency care, ophthalmology, and maxillofacial surgery to describe orbit-related facial fractures. An orbital fracture can affect eye position, eye movement, and vision depending on what structures are involved.
orbital decompression is a surgical approach that creates more space inside the eye socket (orbit). It is most commonly used to treat conditions that push the eye forward or crowd structures behind the eye. The goal is to reduce pressure on the eye and optic nerve and improve comfort and function. It is often discussed in the context of thyroid eye disease and certain orbital emergencies.
Graves orbitopathy is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that affects the tissues around the eye. It is commonly associated with Graves disease and other thyroid disorders. It can change eyelid position, eye appearance, and eye movement, and it may affect vision in some cases. The term is used in ophthalmology, optometry, and endocrinology to describe “thyroid eye disease.”