Ocular Melanoma

🧿 Ocular Melanoma Fact Sheet

Published July 10, 2025 | By: OcularCancer.com

 

A Rare but Life-Altering Eye Cancer
Knowledge is Power – Early Detection Saves Lives

 

📌 What is Ocular Melanoma?

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Ocular melanoma is a rare cancer that develops in the eye's pigment-producing cells. The uvea - the middle layer of the eye - contains most of the eye’s melanocytes and is the primary site for this cancer. This form is called uveal melanoma and is the most common type of intraocular (within the eye) cancer in adults.

 

👁️‍🗨️ Ocular Melanoma Types

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• Choroidal Melanoma

  • Location: Choroid (the vascular layer at the back of the eye, part of the uvea)

  • Prevalence: ~85 - 90% of all uveal melanoma cases

  • Odds: About 1 in 100,000 per year in the general population

  • Notes: This is the most common type of ocular melanoma. It often grows silently until vision is affected or it is found during a routine eye exam.

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• Ciliary Body Melanoma

  • Location: Ciliary body (the ring-shaped part of the uvea behind the iris)

  • Prevalence: ~6 - 8% of uveal melanomas

  • Odds: Much rarer than choroidal melanoma; fewer than 1 in 1,000,000 per year

  • Notes: Often difficult to detect early; may grow larger before diagnosis due to hidden location.

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• Iris Melanoma

  • Location: Iris (the colored part of the eye)

  • Prevalence: ~4 - 5% of uveal melanomas

  • Odds: Estimated at less than 1 in 5,000,000 per year

  • Notes: Usually slow-growing and visible, making early detection more likely; tends to have a better prognosis.

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• Conjunctival Melanoma

  • Location: Conjunctiva (the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and inner eyelids)

  • Prevalence: < 5% of all ocular melanomas (not uveal)

  • Odds: Roughly 1- 2 cases per million people per year

  • Notes: Behaves similarly to skin melanoma; can spread to lymph nodes and lungs if untreated.

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• Orbital Melanoma

  • Location: Orbit (the socket and tissues surrounding the eyeball)

  • Prevalence: Extremely rare

  • Odds: Unknown due to its rarity, often related to metastasis or extension from nearby structures

  • Notes: May be primary or secondary (spread from another site); typically presents with pain, swelling, or vision changes.

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• Secondary (Metastatic) Melanoma to the Eye

  • Location: Any part of the eye, often the choroid

  • Prevalence: Not considered primary ocular melanoma

  • Odds: More common in patients with advanced skin melanoma

  • Notes: The eye - particularly the choroid - is a common site for metastasis from cutaneous melanoma, breast, or lung cancers.

 

 

📊 Statistics

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• 🧬 ~2,000 - 2,500 cases diagnosed annually in the U.S.
   

• 🌍 More common in Caucasians, people aged 50 -70
   

• 👁️ Accounts for ~5% of all melanoma cases
   

• ⚠️ Metastasis in ~50% of cases - especially to the liver
   

• 🔬 Median survival after metastasis: ~6 -12 months (research is improving this)
   

 

⚠️ Common Symptoms

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Uveal melanoma often shows no early symptoms, but can include:

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• Blurry or distorted vision
   

• Flashes or floaters
   

• Dark spot on the iris
   

• Peripheral vision loss
   

• Change in pupil shape
   

• Pain or pressure (rare)
   

 

🧪 How It's Diagnosed

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• Comprehensive dilated eye exam
   

• Ultrasound of the eye (B-scan)
   

• OCT (optical coherence tomography)
   

• Fundus photography
   

• Fluorescein angiography
   

• MRI, CT, or biopsy if metastasis is suspected
   

 

🧬 Risk Factors

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• Light eye color (blue/green)
   

• Fair skin or tendency to sunburn
   

• Older age
   

• Genetic mutations (e.g., BAP1, GNAQ, GNA11)
   

• Family or personal history of skin melanoma
   

• Certain genetic syndromes (e.g., BAP1 Tumor Predisposition Syndrome)
   

 

💉 Treatment Options

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Treatment depends on the tumor's size, location, and spread:

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• Plaque brachytherapy (radioactive disc placed on eye)
   

• Proton beam or gamma knife radiation
   

• Laser photocoagulation (rarely used)
   

• Surgical removal (local resection or enucleation)
   

• Immunotherapy, targeted therapy, or clinical trials (for metastatic cases)
   

 

🌱 Living with Ocular Melanoma

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• Regular liver function tests and imaging to monitor for spread
   

• Emotional support & counseling can help manage stress
   

• Vision changes or loss are possible, even after treatment
   

• Long-term survivorship varies - early detection improves outcomes
   

 

💙 Support and Advocacy

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• Connect with ocular melanoma communities and survivor groups
   

• Participate in clinical trials and research initiatives
   

• Advocate for dilated eye exams and rare cancer funding
   

 

👁️‍🗨️ Why Eye Exams Matter

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Dilated eye exams are the only way to detect ocular melanoma early, especially if you have no symptoms. Ask your eye doctor to examine the back of your eye and check the choroid.

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✅ Recommended: Eye exams every 1 - 2 years for adults; yearly if at high risk.

 

📣 Share This - Raise Awareness

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Help us spread the word with the hashtag:

#OcularMelanoma #DilatedEyeExam

 

🔗 Learn More or Get Involved

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Visit OcularCancer.com for:

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• Reliable information on rare eye cancers
   

• Support resources for patients and caregivers
   

• News, events, and research updates
   

• Awareness campaigns and printable materials

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