squamous cell carcinoma (lid) is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that arises from squamous cells in the eyelid skin and nearby surface tissues. It commonly appears on sun-exposed eyelid areas and can resemble benign (non-cancerous) lid lesions. In eye care, the term is used to describe a specific diagnosis that requires careful evaluation and treatment planning. It is most often managed by ophthalmologists, oculoplastic surgeons, dermatologic surgeons, and oncology teams depending on the case.

basal cell carcinoma (lid) is a skin cancer that starts from basal cells in the eyelid skin. It usually grows slowly and tends to invade nearby tissue rather than spread far away. It is commonly discussed in eye clinics because eyelids protect the eye and affect vision and comfort. The term is used in ophthalmology, optometry, and dermatology when evaluating eyelid lumps, sores, or non-healing lesions.

sebaceous carcinoma (lid) is a rare malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from oil-producing (sebaceous) glands in the eyelid. It often develops from meibomian glands inside the lid, or from smaller sebaceous glands near eyelashes. It can look like common, non-cancerous eyelid problems, so it may be mistaken for other conditions at first. The term is used in eye care and pathology to describe a specific eyelid cancer diagnosis.

choroidal osteoma is a rare, benign (non-cancerous) tumor made of bone-like tissue inside the eye. It forms in the choroid, the vascular layer beneath the retina that helps nourish retinal tissue. It is most often discussed in retinal clinics because it can affect central vision if it involves the macula. In practice, the term is commonly used as a diagnosis identified through an eye exam and retinal imaging.

metastasis to choroid means cancer cells have spread from another part of the body to the choroid inside the eye. The choroid is a blood-rich layer behind the retina that helps nourish the eye. This term is commonly used in ophthalmology, oncology, and radiology when evaluating new vision symptoms or eye findings in people with known or suspected cancer. It describes a diagnosis (a condition), not a single treatment.

A hemangioma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth made up of blood vessels. In eye care, the term is used for vascular lesions that can involve the eyelid, orbit (eye socket), or tissues inside the eye. Some hemangiomas are present at birth or early childhood, while others are found in adults. Clinicians use the word to describe both a diagnosis and a pattern seen on examination and imaging.

iris melanoma is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that arises from pigment-forming cells (melanocytes) in the iris. The iris is the colored ring of tissue at the front of the eye that controls pupil size. iris melanoma is most commonly discussed in eye cancer care, ocular oncology clinics, and comprehensive eye exams when an iris lesion is noted. It is evaluated using slit-lamp examination and specialized eye imaging, and it may be monitored or treated depending on clinical features.

An iris nevus is a benign (non-cancerous) growth of pigment-forming cells on the iris, the colored part of the eye. It often looks like a small brown spot or a slightly raised pigmented area seen during an eye exam. It is most commonly discussed in ophthalmology and optometry as a clinical finding that may need documentation and monitoring. The main clinical focus is distinguishing an iris nevus from other iris lesions, including rare malignant (cancerous) tumors.

A choroidal nevus is a typically benign (non-cancerous) pigmented spot inside the eye. It forms in the choroid, a vascular layer beneath the retina. Many people have no symptoms, and it is often found during a routine dilated eye exam. In eye care, it is commonly discussed as a finding that may need documentation and monitoring over time.

A nevus is a benign (non-cancerous) growth made up of pigment-producing cells. It is often called a “mole” on the skin, but it can also occur in and around the eye. In eye care, nevus most commonly describes a pigmented spot in the conjunctiva, iris, or choroid. Clinicians use the term to document findings and guide monitoring for change over time.

A conjunctival papilloma is a usually benign (non-cancerous) growth on the conjunctiva, the thin clear tissue covering the white of the eye and inner eyelids. It often looks like a small, raised, fleshy or frond-like bump on the eye surface. The term is commonly used in eye clinics when describing and diagnosing surface lesions seen at the slit-lamp exam. It is also used in pathology reports after a lesion is sampled or removed and examined under a microscope.

ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is a group of abnormal growths that arise from the squamous (flat) surface cells of the eye. It most often affects the conjunctiva (the clear membrane over the white of the eye) and the limbus (the border where conjunctiva meets cornea). It is a clinical term used in eye care to describe a spectrum from pre-cancerous changes to invasive cancer on the eye surface. Clinicians use it when evaluating, diagnosing, and treating suspicious ocular surface lesions.

conjunctival squamous neoplasia is an umbrella term for abnormal growth of squamous (flat) cells on the conjunctiva, the clear tissue covering the white of the eye. It includes a spectrum from pre-cancerous surface changes to more invasive squamous cell cancer. Clinicians use the term when describing suspicious ocular surface lesions, especially near the limbus (the border of the cornea). It is commonly discussed in eye clinics, pathology reports, and ocular oncology care.

ocular lymphoma is a type of cancer in which lymphoma cells involve the eye or tissues around the eye. It can affect structures inside the eye (like the vitreous and retina) or the “ocular adnexa” (eyelid, orbit, lacrimal gland, and conjunctiva). The term is used in ophthalmology, optometry, pathology, radiology, and oncology when evaluating eye symptoms that may reflect a systemic or localized lymphoma. This overview is informational and explains concepts and typical clinical workflows in general terms.

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.

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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.