Ocular melanoma in Aotearoa

Ocular melanoma (OM) is the most common cancer in the adult eye. OM affects structures in the eye containing melanocytes: the choroid, ciliary body, iris (collectively called the uvea) and the conjunctiva. Uveal melanoma can be deadly, with approximately 50% developing metastases¹, and in those that do, the prognosis is poor, with survival <12 months² from the onset of metastatic symptoms. The annual incidence of OM ranges from <1 case/million population/year in Southeast Asia and African countries³ to as high as 8-11 cases/million population/year in Northern European countries⁴. Closer to Aotearoa, the annual incidence of OM in Australia is approximately eight cases/million population/year (two-thirds histologically and one-third clinically diagnosed cases)⁵.