TPC
Wrenching Dad
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A common eye problem experienced by boaters is called Pterygiums. One person who got them is Bill Nelson from San Clemente. Alice, my wife is in front line specialty cancer treatment, and asked me to post his story, in his own words:
I experienced a bout of pterygiums about eight years ago, but my encounter turned out to be much more, which I feel you readers should be aware of. I am 52 years old and have been a deputy for the Orange County Sheriff's Department for the past 22 years. For the past 17 years I have been assigned to the Harbor Patrol where I currently work in Newport Beach. I'm on the water everyday and working in the sun is certainly a part of my job.
My first signs of pterygiums was a small growth in the white portion of my left eye. Fortunately, a co-worker of mine had just had a pterygium removed from one of his eyes and he was able to educate me as to what they were. Although I was feeling no pain or discomfort, I confronted my doctor with the problem. I was told that a pterygium was no big deal and was given eye drops to hopefully take care of the problem. I was dealing with an HMO and we all know they are reluctant to refer a patient to a specialist because of financial concerns.
As time passed, the growth in my eye increased in size. I kept returning to the doctor and was told that nothing would be done to remove the growth until it grew into the colored part of my eye. After about two years and many different prescription drugs, various eye-drops and even a cortisone shot directly into my eye, my HMO agreed to send me to a specialist and have the growth removed. By now the pterygium had become itchy and irritating.
The specialist scheduled my removal procedure and ensured me that it was a common practice. I had the surgery and the following day removed my eye patch and looked in the mirror to see that the growth still appeared to be on my eye. I thought the doctor had screwed up. That afternoon I received a phone call from the doctor and he asked me if I was sitting down. He sounded somewhat alarmed. Then he told me that the pterygium was not a pterygium. It was cancer. The "C" word. He said he had never seen such a thing and was making phone calls. Stick by the phone.
I was referred to the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA and was ordered to be there the next day. I met there with Dr. Robert Maloney who would be handling my case. He was straight-forward and told me he was not sure how far the cancer had progressed and that it must be removed. If not, it would kill me. As a worse case scenario he told me that if he had to take my eye, he would take my eye. Great. He scheduled surgery in two weeks. I asked him why he was waiting for two weeks? My doctor in Orange County sounded so alarmed that I thought they would lay me on the table right there and then. He explained that the cancer in my eye had probably been there for years and was just now surfacing and becoming apparent. He also explained that what I had was very rare and that most Ophthalmologists would probably never see this condition in their careers. He ensured me that two weeks would make no difference.
After two surgeries and a rather large "chunk" being removed from the side of my eye, the growth had been removed. Dr. Maloney said that he would not be satisfied the problem had been cured for five years because the cancer might had traveled to other parts of my body (like the lymph nodes). I was monitored for those five years and it appears that the surgery was a success. My eyesight is fine and I'm now left with only a scar on the side of my eye.
I'm writing this just to give your readers a "heads-up" that skin cancer isn't always on the skin. "Skin cancer" on the eye is very rare, but it does occur. Pterygiums are no big deal and are easily removed. But be aware that a larger problem might be lurking. And always protect your eyes like you do your skin. Good polarized sunglasses are a must and just as important as any other sun protectant. And most importantly, enjoy the water!â
~~~
This is good advice and something to think about very seriously. Eye cancer is what killed my mother and I guarantee that you do not want it happening to you. -Corky Carol.
I experienced a bout of pterygiums about eight years ago, but my encounter turned out to be much more, which I feel you readers should be aware of. I am 52 years old and have been a deputy for the Orange County Sheriff's Department for the past 22 years. For the past 17 years I have been assigned to the Harbor Patrol where I currently work in Newport Beach. I'm on the water everyday and working in the sun is certainly a part of my job.
My first signs of pterygiums was a small growth in the white portion of my left eye. Fortunately, a co-worker of mine had just had a pterygium removed from one of his eyes and he was able to educate me as to what they were. Although I was feeling no pain or discomfort, I confronted my doctor with the problem. I was told that a pterygium was no big deal and was given eye drops to hopefully take care of the problem. I was dealing with an HMO and we all know they are reluctant to refer a patient to a specialist because of financial concerns.
As time passed, the growth in my eye increased in size. I kept returning to the doctor and was told that nothing would be done to remove the growth until it grew into the colored part of my eye. After about two years and many different prescription drugs, various eye-drops and even a cortisone shot directly into my eye, my HMO agreed to send me to a specialist and have the growth removed. By now the pterygium had become itchy and irritating.
The specialist scheduled my removal procedure and ensured me that it was a common practice. I had the surgery and the following day removed my eye patch and looked in the mirror to see that the growth still appeared to be on my eye. I thought the doctor had screwed up. That afternoon I received a phone call from the doctor and he asked me if I was sitting down. He sounded somewhat alarmed. Then he told me that the pterygium was not a pterygium. It was cancer. The "C" word. He said he had never seen such a thing and was making phone calls. Stick by the phone.
I was referred to the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA and was ordered to be there the next day. I met there with Dr. Robert Maloney who would be handling my case. He was straight-forward and told me he was not sure how far the cancer had progressed and that it must be removed. If not, it would kill me. As a worse case scenario he told me that if he had to take my eye, he would take my eye. Great. He scheduled surgery in two weeks. I asked him why he was waiting for two weeks? My doctor in Orange County sounded so alarmed that I thought they would lay me on the table right there and then. He explained that the cancer in my eye had probably been there for years and was just now surfacing and becoming apparent. He also explained that what I had was very rare and that most Ophthalmologists would probably never see this condition in their careers. He ensured me that two weeks would make no difference.
After two surgeries and a rather large "chunk" being removed from the side of my eye, the growth had been removed. Dr. Maloney said that he would not be satisfied the problem had been cured for five years because the cancer might had traveled to other parts of my body (like the lymph nodes). I was monitored for those five years and it appears that the surgery was a success. My eyesight is fine and I'm now left with only a scar on the side of my eye.
I'm writing this just to give your readers a "heads-up" that skin cancer isn't always on the skin. "Skin cancer" on the eye is very rare, but it does occur. Pterygiums are no big deal and are easily removed. But be aware that a larger problem might be lurking. And always protect your eyes like you do your skin. Good polarized sunglasses are a must and just as important as any other sun protectant. And most importantly, enjoy the water!â
~~~
This is good advice and something to think about very seriously. Eye cancer is what killed my mother and I guarantee that you do not want it happening to you. -Corky Carol.
