Don't Ignore These Eye Symptoms – They Could Signal a Hidden Tumor in Your Body

Ophthalmologists are trained not only to diagnose eye diseases but also to detect serious conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, myasthenia gravis, thyroid disorders, and even cancer—just by looking at your eyes.

 

 

A Shocking Eye Exam That Saved a Life

When Alfred Thigpen, an American writer living in Washington, visited his ophthalmologist for a routine check-up, he was shocked when the doctor advised him to get a colonoscopy.

"What? What does my eye have to do with my colon?" Thigpen exclaimed, thinking it was a mistake.

However, his doctor was none other than Neal Adams, former Head of Visual Physiology at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University and editor-in-chief of Eye Reports, making him one of the world's top ophthalmologists.

By simply examining Thigpen’s retina, Dr. Adams spotted a suspicious freckle.

"When freckles appear in a specific pattern and quantity on the retina, it is strongly linked to a syndrome associated with colon polyps," Dr. Adams explained.

This meant Thigpen could have a risk of cancer. Although the probability wasn't extremely high, early detection is key. If colon polyps are found and removed in time, colorectal cancer can be prevented.

That routine eye exam may have saved Thigpen’s life—and possibly prevented the loss of an esteemed writer.

 

How Can Your Eyes Reveal Cancer Risk?

It may seem strange that an eye doctor would recommend a colonoscopy, but for trained specialists, this is not uncommon.

As early as 1935, Dr. Richard Cabot from Massachusetts General Hospital first reported cases of colorectal cancer linked to retinal freckles. However, the medical community largely ignored this connection until 1980, when doctors Norman Blair and Clement Trempe described a link between colon polyps, colorectal cancer, and retinal freckles.

They named this retinal freckle CHRPE (Congenital Hypertrophy of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium).

Later studies found that CHRPE strongly correlates with an inherited condition called Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), in which genetic mutations cause both polyps in the colon and freckles in the retina. A 2010 study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology concluded that patients with such retinal freckles should undergo colonoscopy as soon as possible.

Dr. Adams further emphasized that cancer detection through eye exams isn’t limited to colorectal cancer. He once diagnosed early-stage leukemia in an otherwise healthy patient by identifying tiny retinal hemorrhages.

In another case, a patient’s unusual retinal inflammation led Dr. Adams to perform an electroretinogram, which revealed a malignant tumor. The patient was referred to an oncologist, who diagnosed ovarian cancer.

"When we examine the retina, we can find signs that help detect various conditions—common ones like high blood pressure and diabetes, rare genetic disorders, and even life-threatening cancers," Dr. Adams explained.

He added that eye doctors can detect cancers of the lung, breast, pancreas, brain, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma just by looking at the eyes.

 

Eye Symptoms That May Signal Cancer

1. Eye Cancer

Eye cancer can develop silently, but early symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision
• Seeing flashes of light, zigzag lines, or floating spots
• A growing dark spot on the iris
• Asymmetry between the two eyes, such as one eye slightly bulging or a misaligned eyeball

Alarmingly, these symptoms often progress painlessly, making early detection crucial.

2. Leukemia (Blood Cancer)

Unexplained eye bleeding can be a sign of leukemia. A red patch under the eye’s surface may indicate abnormal white blood cell proliferation, leading to retinal hemorrhages, blurred vision, and even vision loss.

3. Brain Cancer

A brain tumor can press on the optic nerves, causing symptoms such as:

• Vision loss or blurriness
• Double vision
• Visual field defects
• Involuntary eye twitching or spasms
• Drooping eyelids or uncontrolled eye movement
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Morning headaches accompanied by nausea

If you experience these symptoms, especially alongside frequent morning headaches and nausea, seek medical attention immediately—it could indicate a brain tumor.

 

Other Cancers That May Affect the Eyes

• Lung Cancer: Can cause blurred vision, vision loss, eye pain, and "floaters" in vision.
• Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Can spread to the eye socket, leading to pain, bulging eyes, vision loss, and double vision—often appearing about two months before diagnosis.
• Colon Cancer: Studies have linked early-stage colorectal cancer to light sensitivity and double vision.
• Breast Cancer: Can cause eye redness, itching, burning, excessive tearing, blurry or double vision, and dark spots in the visual field.

Regular eye exams can do more than just assess your vision—they could save your life. If you notice any unusual symptoms, don’t ignore them.