Ocular (Uveal) Melanoma
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Ocular (Uveal) Melanoma
What are the risk factors?
The cause of ocular melanoma is not known in most cases. However, there are several risk factors including:
- having pale or fair skin. People whose skin burns easily are most at risk.
- having a light eye colour. People with blue or green eyes have a greater risk than people with darker eyes.
- family history of melanoma. A very small number of people who have melanoma have inherited a faulty gene.
- having a growth on or in the eye. People with an “eye freckle” may be at risk.
- age. The risk increases with age.
- certain skin conditions and pigmentation. Some people have a skin disorder (dysplastic naevus syndrome) which causes moles to grow abnormally, and this can increase your risk.
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This information is reviewed by
This information was last reviewed February 2021 by the following expert content reviewers: A/Prof William Glasson, Ophthalmologist, Queensland Ocular Oncology Service, Queensland; Dr Lindsay McGrath, Ophthalmic Surgeon, Queensland Ocular Oncology Service, Queensland; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Jane Palmer, Senior Oncology Nurse and Researcher, Oncogenomics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Queensland Ocular Oncology Service, Queensland; Katrina Potter, Consumer; Susan Vine, OcuMel Australia; Ann Marie Weber, Consumer; Dr Wenchang Wong, Senior Radiation Oncologist, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Conjoint Senior Lecturer, University of NSW.