Double Vision After Ocular Melanoma Surgery

It is very normal to have double vision right after ocular melanoma surgery, due to the edema and swelling of all the tissue in the orbit that can squish the eye muscles making them not work as well. Usually, the radiation from the plaque or from protons does NOT effect the extra-ocular muscles. Short term double vision is best managed with observation and using the eye like normal, with no patching. This helps train the brain to bring the eye into alignment with the fellow eye. Persistent straight-ahead double vision that has stopped improving after about 3 months can be managed by a strabismus surgeon, an ophthalmologist who has experience dealing with eye muscles. Both non-surgical (i.e., prisms) and surgical options are discussed.  Welcome to Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma, a guide to understanding everything there is to know about your experience with this rare cancer. Learn through the lens of my knowledge and clinical experience as a physician expert and passionate patient advocate. The more you know about ocular melanoma, the better you will do, and the better you will live. Let's go! The content shared on the Finding Your Way with Ocular Melanoma podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information provided must not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. As a listener, you are responsible for your own health-related decisions and must consider consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.  Tara McCannel MD PhD is a an ocular oncologist, vitreoretinal surgeon and co-founder of Seyhart Wellness. She is also the host of the Mind Body MD podcast where she shares her passion for holistic health and wellness.