Recovery & Support for Intraocular Melanoma

At NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, follow-up care is an important part of treatment for people with intraocular melanoma. Depending on the size and location of a tumor, your doctor may recommend eye exams and imaging tests every six months to check for signs of tumor growth or recurrence. This enables him or her to catch any tumor growth early and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the body.

Our experts also offer services to help you recover from radiation therapy or surgery.

Visual Rehabilitation

NYU Langone rehabilitation medicine doctors and neuro-ophthalmologists—doctors who treat conditions that affect vision-related nerves—work together to help you adapt to changes in vision caused by a tumor or its treatments. Our doctors evaluate your vision, measuring the acuity, or sharpness, of your eyesight, and the size of your visual field.

If the evaluation reveals that you have some vision loss, the doctor can prescribe occupational therapy at Rusk Rehabilitation. Our occupational therapists offer a variety of strategies and devices to help compensate for vision loss and help you maintain independence at home and in all daily activities.

Specialists may also recommend hats and sunglasses that can protect against ultraviolet rays, which can further damage the eye.

Integrative Health Therapies

NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center offers a variety of integrative health therapies, such as massage therapy to reduce stress, and acupuncture to relieve fatigue caused by surgery and radiation therapy. These treatments can be combined with conventional treatment or used alone after treatment has been completed.

Immune Support

Growing evidence suggests that people with intraocular melanoma who have a strong immune system may have a lower risk of developing metastatic, or secondary, tumors. Our doctors recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle, including eating a well-balanced diet, getting plenty of exercise and rest, and reducing stress.

Emotional Support

Psychologists at NYU Langone can meet with you and your family to address any anxiety or depression you may have about tumor growth and cancer recurrence. Our counselors can also help you cope with the emotional aspects of vision loss.