Eye Cancer (Ocular Melanoma)

Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Content is sourced from third parties, and we do not guarantee accuracy or accept any liability for its use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical guidance.

What is Eye Cancer (Ocular Melanoma)?

Ocular melanoma is a rare eye cancer arising from melanocytes in the uveal tract (iris, ciliary body, choroid; 85%), conjunctiva (5%), or orbit. Choroidal is most common. In 2025, ~3,140 US cases, median age 55, slightly more in men/light-eyed individuals.

Symptoms

Symptoms include blurred vision, floaters, visual field loss, dark iris spot, pupil shape change, or bulging eye. Many are asymptomatic, found during eye exams. Advanced causes pain, glaucoma, or detachment. In 2025, symptoms prompt urgent ophthalmology referral.

Causes

Causes include UV exposure (conjunctival), genetic mutations (GNAQ/GNA11 in uveal), fair skin/eyes, dysplastic nevus syndrome. BAP1 mutations increase metastasis risk. No strong lifestyle links. In 2025, genomics show immune evasion in metastasis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis uses slit-lamp exam, ophthalmoscopy, ultrasound for thickness, fluorescein angiography, and biopsy (fine-needle). CT/MRI/PET for staging. Molecular testing for GNAQ/BAP1. In 2025, AI imaging improves detection.

Treatment

Small melanomas use observation or laser (photodynamic). Medium/large use plaque brachytherapy, proton beam radiation, or enucleation. Metastatic uses immunotherapy (tebentafusp for HLA-A*02:01+). In 2025, targeted therapies improve responses.

Future Outlook

In 2025, 5-year survival is 80-85% for localised, 15% for metastatic (liver common). Tebentafusp extends survival to 21 months. By 2030, vaccines and ADCs could raise metastatic survival to 30%.

Sources

The information for ocular melanoma is sourced from Mayo Clinic’s “Eye melanoma – Symptoms and causes” for symptoms; NORD’s “Ocular Melanoma – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment” for causes; OncoDaily’s “Ocular Melanoma: Symptoms, Causes, Stages, Diagnosis and Treatment” for stages; Mayo Clinic’s “Eye melanoma – Diagnosis and treatment” for treatment; Macmillan’s “Eye cancer (ocular melanoma) – symptoms, staging, treatment” for overview; Cleveland Clinic’s “Eye Cancer: Symptoms, Types & Treatment” for types; NCBI’s “Ocular Melanoma” for prognosis; NCI’s “Intraocular (Uveal) Melanoma Treatment” for treatment; Cancer Council’s “Eye cancer (ocular melanoma)” for information.