Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS
The Eyes Have it
Although ocular melanoma is an extremely rare form of cancer, it is the most common primary cancer of the eye in adults. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023 in the United States there will be more than 3.400 new cancers of the eye with about 430 deaths. This cancer affects men and women, with the highest incidence in the seventh and eight decades of life and occurs more often in people who are fair skinned with lighter colored eyes.
Ocular melanoma usually develops in the uvea of the eye and rarely in the conjunctiva. To review, the uvea is the middle layer of the eyeball that contains the iris, the choroid, and the ciliary body. Nine out of 10 ocular melanomas develop in the choroid or ciliary body. The choroid is a thin, pigmented layer lining the eyeball, and the ciliary body contains the muscles inside the eye. Choroid cells make the same kind of pigment as melanocytes in the skin, so it’s not surprising that these cells sometimes form melanomas. Ocular melanoma can metastasize to other parts of the body, most often to the liver.
Wearing eye protection when outdoors is the best preventive strategy. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that consumers opt for sunglasses that offer 100% UV-A and UV-B or UV400 protection. When performing full body skin examinations on patients, don’t forget to include the eyes and suggest they get yearly ophthalmology exams. Remind you patients to protect their eyes with sunglasses, as well as their skin with sunscreen!
Kristine Kucera, PA-C, MPAS, DHS, is Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Texas Southwestern, Medical Center PA Program, Dallas, TX. She is a member of the DEF Advisory Council.
References:
https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/ocular-melanoma/#disease-overview-main
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/eye-cancer/about/what-is-eye-cancer.html
https://www.aao.org/newsroom/news-releases/detail/buying-sunglasses-read-this-first