In 2025, it is estimated that 5 people in every 1 million in the United States will be diagnosed with a rare cancer that begins in the cells (melanocytes) that make the eyes' pigment (melanin). This type of eye cancer is called both Ocular Melanoma and Eye Melanoma. In the medical community and on the internet, the following terms are used to further identify the most common locations of this eye tumor:
- The uvea — the middle layer within the eye that lies above the retina and beneath the sclera and cornea — is the site for eye melanomas approx. 85% of the time. Uveal Melanoma and Intraocular Melanoma (meaning "within the eye") are used interchangeably to indicate this location. Depending on where the tumor is in the uveal tract, the cancer will also be more specifically identified as either Choroidal Melanoma (approx. 90% of uveal melanomas), Ciliary Body Melanoma, or Iris Melanoma.
- Approx. 5% of eye melanomas occur in the conjunctiva membrane that covers the white outer layer (sclera) of the eye and that lines the eyelid. A tumor located here is referred to as Conjunctival Melanoma.
Statistics compiled from American Academy of Ophthalmology; Text: EyeMelanoma.org
