What should you know about eyeball melanoma?

Melanoma can develop in different parts of the eye, including tissues that are not visible when you look in a mirror. A new dark spot, a change in the appearance of the iris, blurred vision, flashes, floaters or a change in the shape of the pupil can be clues, although several eye conditions can cause similar symptoms. Examination may include a detailed eye assessment and imaging to locate a lesion and understand its size and position. The specialist may also assess nearby tissues and the rest of the body when appropriate. Melanoma is different from common surface irritation or an ordinary skin mole; the diagnosis depends on examination rather than appearance alone.

Arrange an urgent appointment with an ophthalmologist, ideally one experienced in eye tumours, if a clinician has raised this possibility or you have a persistent new visual change. Bring a list of medicines and previous eye records, and note when the symptom began and whether it affects one or both eyes. Do not try to remove or treat a pigmented area yourself. Treatment depends on the eye location, tumour features, vision, and whether disease has spread. Options may include focused eye treatment, surgery, tumour removal surgery or medicines such as immunotherapy. A care team may also discuss staging tests and, in selected situations, sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Seek same-day emergency eye care for sudden loss of vision, a curtain or shadow across your sight, severe eye pain, marked redness with vomiting, or a new shower of flashes and floaters. These symptoms can signal an eye emergency and should not wait for a routine cancer appointment. Contact your specialist promptly for a growing visible spot, worsening blurred vision, a new pupil change or persistent one-sided symptoms. Follow-up after cancer treatment helps the team monitor the treated eye and check for changes elsewhere.

Ask where the suspected melanoma is located, which tests will clarify the diagnosis, how treatment could affect vision, and whether body imaging is needed. Ask how quickly treatment should begin, which symptoms require an emergency call, and how follow-up will be organised.