About Eye Tumors

The following information will answer many of your questions about eye tumors.

eye anatomy

What is an Eye Tumor?

  • A "tumor" simply means a mass or tissue swelling. This term applies to both benign tumors (such as a mole on the skin) as well as malignant tumors (which are referred to as cancer).
  • "Benign" means that a tumor that does not have the ability to invade or spread to other organs. Benign tumors are not cancers.
  • "Malignant" refers to a tumor that has the ability to invade and spread to other organs. The term "cancer" refers to a malignant tumor.
  • Most eye tumors involve the conjunctiva, uvea (composed of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid), retina or optic nerve.

Types of Eye Tumors

The following is a list of the most common types of eye tumors. Click on each name for further information.

Tumors of the Choroid and Ciliary Body

Tumors of the Retina and Retinal Pigment Epithelium (RPE)

Tumors of the Iris

Tumors of the Optic Nerve

Ocular lymphoma

Further Information on Eye Tumors


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