Choroidal melanoma is the most common primary cancer arising inside the eye in adults. It develops from pigment-producing cells within the choroid, a layer of tissue beneath the retina at the back of the eye.
Although this is a rare condition, highly specialised treatments are available, and many patients are successfully treated while retaining useful vision in the affected eye.
Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and ongoing surveillance are important parts of care.
The choroid is a layer of tissue beneath the retina that contains blood vessels and pigment cells.
A choroidal melanoma develops when melanocytes within this layer grow uncontrollably and form a tumour.
Unlike a skin melanoma, a choroidal melanoma develops inside the eye and is not usually related to sun exposure.
Many choroidal melanomas are discovered during a routine eye examination before they cause symptoms.
When symptoms occur, they may include:
Blurred or distorted vision
Flashes of light
New floaters
Loss of part of the visual field
Reduced vision in one eye
A dark spot seen during an eye examination
Occasionally, patients have no symptoms at all.
More information on diagnosis and treatment of choroidal melanoma