Dr. Murphy`s Ocular Melanoma Story

Dr. Murphy's Annual Letter

I'm a little late in getting to you my update, ( the 4 year mark was in June of this year), but time has a way of slipping away when you're busy right?

I wanted to bring you all up to date on the progress of my ocular melanoma journey. So many of you are so kind to remember to ask me how I am doing when you are having your visit; it humbles me every time, and I am so grateful to have such caring patients.

The update: First and foremost, there is NO CANCER left in my eye! The treatment has been extremely successful in eradicating any cancer. I still will be monitored every six months by my oncologist for one more year (when I hit the 5 year mark) for metastasis to the most common areas of ocular melanoma: the lungs and liver. To date, I am cancer free there too. I have to chronically see my ophthalmologist every 2 to 3 months indefinitely as the one development that was predicted has occurred: I now have radiation retinopathy in my right eye. Yes, the radiation that so successfully eradicated the cancer has taken its toll on my retinal blood vessels. They have been weakened and are now prone to leakage. Not bleeding, but the clear fluid of the blood is now leaking into my macula (The tumor was only millimeters away from my macula). What does that mean? I now have some distortion in my vision and must now chronically use eye drops three times a day; in addition, last March I began receiving monthly injections into my eye to slow down the fluid build up, and maybe get rid of it.

I am grateful for many things here: 1) the visual distortion is not affecting my ability to be your doctor, 2) it is not affecting my day to day living, and 3) that I live in a day and age where there IS treatment available for this retinopathy and it is working well and allowing me to be your eye doctor for many years to come.

From the beginning of this journey, I wanted to be honest with you about my eye health. The main thing I wanted is to teach you the importance of your eye HEALTH checkups when you get your annual eye exams. Our sight is a precious gift and we should all be grateful for it and take good care of it.

Thanks for reading the update and I hope all is going well with all of you. Do not hesitate to reach out if you need to visit me. You know I love to talk all things eyes!"
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Gratefully,

Dr. Mary Murphy

Primary Eyecare and Eyeware

Dr. Murphy's Melanoma Story

Six years ago, Dr. Murphy introduced the Optos, a retinal camera, to our practice and arranged for a representative to come demonstrate and educate the staff. After volunteering herself to help with the demonstration, Dr. Murphy’s retinal photo was taken and what she saw on the screen would change her life forever: ocular melanoma suspect

At her first visit to the ophthalmologist, the retinal lesion was benign. Six months later, her retinal lesion was diagnosed as an ocular melanoma and her doctor recommended that she undergo plaque radiation therapy. Unfortunately, the specialist could not give her any prognosis on her sight after the procedure.

Fast forward to the present day, she stands triumphant and cancer-free thanks to the Optos retinal camera that played a crucial role in her battle. Today, she has some swelling of the macula (the center of sharpest vision in the retina) that is affecting her vision but diligently visits her retina specialist every three months for evaluation and injections to preserve as much vision.

Dr. Murphy’s journey is a testament of her resilience. Her passion for technology reflects her commitment to staying abreast of advancements in the field to enhance patient care and improve patient outcomes.