Ocular / uveal melanoma

Melanoma of the eye

Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive form of ocular melanoma that is clinically and biologically different to skin melanoma. Our uveal melanoma research focuses on gathering patient data to inform best practice and improve patient care.
Donate to uveal melanoma clinical trials

What is uveal melanoma?

Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive form of ocular melanoma found in the middle layer of the eye called the uvea. Uveal melanoma is clinically and biologically different to skin melanoma.

Around 200 Australians are diagnosed with uveal melanoma each year.

A person with uveal melanoma may be asymptomatic or it may be picked up incidentally during a routine eye exam. Symptoms may include:

  • Visual changes – blurred vision, flashing lights, loss of peripheral vision, floaters and/or specks
  • Redness of the eye
  • Eye pain
  • Brown or dark patches on the white of the eye
  • Change in the colour of the iris
  • Changes in the shape or size of the pupil

What are the risk factors?

  • Older age – the median age of diagnosis is 55 years
  • Fair skin and a tendency to sunburn
  • Light eye colour, such as blue or green eyes
  • Family history of melanoma

Uveal melanoma clinical trials

Open for recruitment

More information about ocular / uveal melanoma

Visit the Australasian Ocular Melanoma Alliance (AOMA) website for more information. AOMA is a special interest group of Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials.

Listen to this podcast by the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Advocacy Network (MSCAN):