Occular melanoma
Definition and demographics Occular melanomas are uncontrolled malignant proliferation of melanocytes in the eye. They can be divided into uveal melanomas, which arise in the iris, choroid body or ciliary body, and conjunctival melanomas which arise from the conjunctiva. Uveal melanomas are more common and is the most common type of primary eye malignancy, and second most common type of malignant melanoma. Ocular melanoma is a rare condition which occurs equally in males and females and the with a peak incidence in people's 60s. It tends to affect fair skinned individuals more. Aeitiology/pathophysiology Occular melanomas are caused by an accumulation of genetic changes. Sunlight exposure is a risk factor of developing melanoma. Other risk factors include being caucasion/fair skinned, having light coloured irides, melanosis or existing melanocytic naevi of the conjunctiva (moles), congenital ocular melanocytosis, neurofibromatosis and family history. ...