Eye Cancer - Los Angeles, CA | UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center

Why choose UCLA Health for ophthalmic oncology?

Since it was founded in the 1980s, the Ophthalmic Oncology Center has been internationally recognized for diagnosing and treating eye cancers. The Center is part of the UCLA Health Stein Eye Institute and Doheny Eye Centers, which U.S. News & World Report ranks fifth in the nation for ophthalmology care.

Our ophthalmic oncologists collaborate with multiple specialists, such as radiation oncologists and radiation physicists to offer comprehensive treatment plans. Highlights of our program include:

Research focus: Our physicians research new treatments and participate in clinical trials. This enables us to remain at the forefront of new techniques. Eligible patients benefit from access to these treatments through clinical trials.

Renowned expertise: We have achieved international recognition for our research and treatment of ocular melanoma. As a hub for national studies on this condition, the Ophthalmic Oncology Center contributed to a long-term study sponsored by the National Eye Institute.

Genetic counseling: Through our research, we’ve identified key genes associated with tumors that spread (metastatic tumors). We use genetic testing to help guide our treatment plans and offer genetic counseling.

Eye cancers we treat

In the Ophthalmic Oncology Center, we treat primary eye tumors (those that originate in your eye), including:

Ocular melanoma: The most common primary eye cancer, starting in the cells that produce pigment

Conjunctival melanoma: Cancer that occurs on the surface of the eye (conjunctiva)

Eyelid carcinoma: Skin cancer that starts on the eyelid

Hemangioma: A noncancerous (benign) tumor that starts in blood vessels, often in the middle layer of eye tissue (choroid)

Intraocular lymphoma: Eye cancer that starts in the body’s infection-fighting cells (lymphocytes)

Lacrimal gland tumor: A growth on the part of the eye that produces tears (lacrimal gland)

Retinoblastoma: A rare condition in which cancerous (malignant) cells form in the inside lining of the eye (retina)

Eye cancer treatments we offer

Our specialists offer comprehensive treatment for eye cancer, including new and innovative treatments through clinical trials. Often, treatment involves surgery to remove the eye tumor. You may have:

Iridectomy: Removes part of the iris

Iridocyclectomy: Removes part of the iris and a layer of the wall behind the iris known as the ciliary body

Sclerouvectomy: Removes the entire tumor while keeping the retina and the rest of the eye intact

Enucleation: Removes the eye, a treatment used only in severe and rare cases

Treatment plans may also include:

Radiation therapy: Uses powerful X-rays to target and destroy cancer cells

Laser therapy: Uses high-energy light beams to heat and destroy a tumor

Chemotherapy: Drugs that attack fast-growing cells, including cancer cells

Targeted therapy: Drugs that target specific parts of cancer cells to keep them from growing or spreading

Immunotherapy: Drugs that stimulate the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells

Meet our team

Our ophthalmic oncologists research, diagnose and treat all types of eye cancers. We continually learn the newest therapies so we can offer you the most advanced treatments.