Ocular Melanoma

Ocular melanoma is a rare cancer that develops from pigmented cells inside the eye, most often in the choroid, and can affect vision and general health.

Common symptoms

Blurred vision, flashes or floaters, a dark spot on the iris, changes in the shape of the pupil, or loss of part of the visual field, although many tumours cause no symptoms in early stages.

Description

Ocular melanoma, also called uveal melanoma, arises from the pigment-producing cells of the uvea, which is the middle layer of the eye made up of the choroid, ciliary body, and iris. It is the most common primary cancer of the eye in adults.

Many early tumours are found by chance during routine eye examinations before they cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they depend on the size and location of the tumour. Some ocular melanomas can spread to other parts of the body, most often the liver, so careful staging and ongoing monitoring are important.

Treatment options include plaque radiotherapy, proton beam therapy, laser treatments, and in some cases surgery to remove the eye. The aim is to control the tumour while preserving as much vision as possible, and close follow-up with specialist teams is essential.