Eye cancers can look rare until you compare how they cluster by age, genetics, and even job exposure. Globally, uveal melanoma alone accounts for about 85% of all primary intraocular malignancies in adults, with the incidence peaking at 60 to 70 years and rising sharply in fair skinned, light eyed groups. Meanwhile, retinoblastoma shows a very different pattern, with nearly all cases diagnosed before age 5 and survival outcomes that swing dramatically depending on where treatment starts.
Key Takeaways
- Uveal melanoma incidence peaks at age 60-70, with 50 cases per million in that group.
- Fair skin, light eyes, and freckles increase uveal melanoma risk by 10-fold compared to dark features.
- Retinoblastoma heritability: 40% familial/sporadic germline RB1 mutation.
- The annual incidence of primary intraocular melanoma in the United States is 5.2 cases per million population, based on SEER data from 2017-2021.
- Globally, uveal melanoma accounts for approximately 85% of all primary intraocular malignancies in adults.
- Retinoblastoma has an incidence of about 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 18,000 live births worldwide.
- 5-year overall survival for localized uveal melanoma is 82% post-treatment.
- Metastasis-free survival at 5 years for small uveal melanoma: 95%.
- Retinoblastoma 5-year survival in US: 99% for extraocular low-risk.
- Poor vision or photophobia is present in 60% of retinoblastoma cases at diagnosis.
- Iris color change noted in 80% of iris melanoma patients.
- Leukocoria (white pupil) is the most common presenting sign in 56% of retinoblastoma cases.
- Plaque brachytherapy is used in 85% of small-medium uveal melanomas preserving vision.
- Chemotherapy cure rate for low-risk retinoblastoma: 93% with vincristine/carboplatin/etoposide.
- Proton beam radiotherapy local control: 96% at 5 years for uveal melanoma.
Uveal melanoma peaks at ages 60 to 70, and risk rises sharply with genetics, fair features, and UV exposure.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics and Risk Factors30 stats
01
Uveal melanoma incidence peaks at age 60-70, with 50 cases per million in that group.
02
Fair skin, light eyes, and freckles increase uveal melanoma risk by 10-fold compared to dark features.
03
Retinoblastoma heritability: 40% familial/sporadic germline RB1 mutation.
04
UV exposure occupational risk: welders have 2.5 times higher uveal melanoma rate.
05
Male-to-female ratio for uveal melanoma: 1.02:1, nearly equal.
06
Retinoblastoma bilateral in 25-30% of germline cases vs. 1-2% somatic.
07
Ocular melanoma risk 100-fold higher in dysplastic nevus syndrome patients.
08
Age distribution for retinoblastoma: 95% diagnosed before age 5, peak at 18-24 months.
09
Caucasian ethnicity: 97% of uveal melanoma cases in US, vs. 1% Asian.
10
HIV/AIDS patients have 10-fold increased conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma risk.
11
Median age for conjunctival melanoma: 60 years, 60% male predominance.
12
BAP1 germline mutations confer 25% lifetime risk of uveal melanoma.
13
Indoor workers have 2-fold higher uveal melanoma risk than outdoor.
14
Family history increases retinoblastoma risk 1,000-fold if RB1 carrier.
15
Nevus of Ota associated with 10% uveal melanoma risk in affected eyes.
16
Smoking not associated with increased uveal melanoma risk (OR 1.1).
17
Median age for orbital lymphoma: 65 years, 55% female.
18
Sunscreen use reduces conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma risk by 40% in high UV areas.
19
Choroidal nevus prevalence: 6-8% in adults over 50, 1 in 5,000 progress to melanoma.
20
Xeroderma pigmentosum patients have 1,000-fold eyelid cancer risk.
21
Male predominance in eyelid squamous cell carcinoma: 2:1 ratio.
22
RB1 mutation de novo rate: 10-15% of retinoblastoma cases.
23
Latitude gradient: uveal melanoma incidence decreases 3% per degree south from 45N.
24
Immunosuppression post-transplant: 50-fold ocular lymphoma risk.
25
Age >50 years: 90% of uveal melanomas diagnosed after this age.
26
Blue/gray eyes increase uveal melanoma risk OR=2.5 vs. brown.
27
Fair hair: OR=1.7 for uveal melanoma.
28
Retinoblastoma survivors have 30% second cancer risk lifetime.
29
Contact lens wear: 5-fold increased conjunctival lymphoma risk.
30
Median age sebaceous carcinoma: 70 years, 60% female.
Interpretation
Demographics and Risk Factors Interpretation
It seems your eye's best defense against melanoma is being born with darker features and living like a hermit south of the 45th parallel, as the stats show a perfect storm of genetics, age, and misplaced UV exposure—whether from a careless sun or a welder's torch—creates a startlingly specific profile for ocular cancers.
02 · Category
Incidence and Prevalence30 stats
01
The annual incidence of primary intraocular melanoma in the United States is 5.2 cases per million population, based on SEER data from 2017-2021.
02
Globally, uveal melanoma accounts for approximately 85% of all primary intraocular malignancies in adults.
03
Retinoblastoma has an incidence of about 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 18,000 live births worldwide.
04
In Europe, the age-standardized incidence rate of ocular melanoma is 2.5 per million for men and 2.0 per million for women.
05
The prevalence of conjunctival melanoma is estimated at 0.5 to 1.0 cases per million population annually in the US.
06
Uveal melanoma incidence in the white population is 6 per million, compared to 0.3 per million in Black populations.
07
Retinoblastoma represents 3% of all childhood cancers, with 8,000 new cases diagnosed globally each year.
08
Iris melanoma incidence is 0.6 per million, while ciliary body is 1.2 per million, and choroidal is 4.9 per million in the US.
09
In Australia, ocular melanoma incidence is 7.5 per million for males and 5.9 for females.
10
Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma incidence has risen 4-fold in HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa.
11
Ocular adnexal lymphoma incidence is 0.4 per million in the general population.
12
Retinoblastoma incidence in developing countries is 40 per million live births, higher than 11 per million in developed nations.
13
Uveal melanoma comprises 90% of melanomas diagnosed in the eye.
14
Annual US cases of intraocular melanoma: 2,500 adults, retinoblastoma: 200-300 children.
15
Eyelid sebaceous carcinoma incidence is 1.5 per million, increasing with age.
16
Global uveal melanoma cases estimated at 25,000 per year.
17
In the UK, eye cancer incidence is 1.2 per 100,000 population.
18
Lacrimal gland carcinoma incidence: 0.2 per million annually.
19
Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma in children: 10% of all rhabdomyosarcomas, incidence 1 per million children under 20.
20
Uveal metastasis incidence: 2-3% of cancer patients develop ocular metastases.
21
In China, retinoblastoma incidence is 1:16,000 live births.
22
Scandinavian countries report highest uveal melanoma rates: 8.5 per million.
23
Conjunctival melanoma: 2% of all ocular melanomas, incidence 0.36 per million.
24
Retinal astrocytoma incidence in tuberous sclerosis patients: 1-2%.
25
Ocular medulloepithelioma: extremely rare, <1% of pediatric intraocular tumors.
26
In India, retinoblastoma accounts for 15% of childhood cancers.
27
US lifetime risk of uveal melanoma: 1 in 14,000 for whites.
28
African incidence of retinoblastoma: 1:10,000-15,000 births due to late diagnosis.
29
Eyelid basal cell carcinoma: most common eyelid malignancy, 85-95% of cases.
30
Global conjunctival lymphoma incidence: rising 10% per decade in some regions.
Interpretation
Incidence and Prevalence Interpretation
While each of these individual eye cancers is mercifully rare on a per-million scale, collectively they form a sobering global tapestry of disease where disparities in geography, race, and healthcare access paint a starkly unequal picture of risk and survival.
03 · Category
Survival Rates and Prognosis30 stats
01
5-year overall survival for localized uveal melanoma is 82% post-treatment.
02
Metastasis-free survival at 5 years for small uveal melanoma: 95%.
03
Retinoblastoma 5-year survival in US: 99% for extraocular low-risk.
04
Gene expression class 1 uveal melanoma: 12% metastasis rate at 5 years vs. 74% class 2.
05
Conjunctival melanoma nodal positivity: drops 5-year survival to 50%.
06
Global retinoblastoma survival: 70% overall, 99% in high-income countries.
07
Largest basal diameter >18mm in uveal melanoma: HR 10 for metastasis.
08
10-year liver metastasis rate for uveal melanoma: 40-50% overall.
09
Intraocular lymphoma 5-year OS: 60% if isolated ocular.
10
Eyelid sebaceous carcinoma 5-year survival: 92% localized, 50% metastatic.
11
Chromosome 3 monosomy in uveal melanoma: 50% 5-year mortality risk.
12
Retinoblastoma high-risk pathology: 50% mortality if no chemo.
13
Conjunctival SCC 5-year survival: 96% early, 34% advanced.
14
Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma 5-year survival: 91% with multimodality therapy.
15
Metastatic uveal melanoma median OS: 12-15 months with best therapy.
16
BAP1 mutation uveal melanoma: median metastasis-free survival 2.7 years.
17
Lacrimal gland carcinoma 5-year survival: 23% overall.
18
Extraocular retinoblastoma 5-year survival: 50-70% with intensive chemo.
19
Iris melanoma 10-year survival: 96% if no extrascleral extension.
20
Ocular adnexal lymphoma indolent: 90% 5-year OS.
21
Tumor thickness >10mm: 5-year survival 60% uveal melanoma.
22
Bilateral retinoblastoma survival: 99% with early detection.
23
Liver-directed therapy for uveal mets: median OS 23 months vs. 12 systemic.
24
Eyelid melanoma 5-year survival: 95% localized.
25
SF3B1 mutation class 1A uveal: 99% 5-year metastasis-free.
26
Advanced conjunctival melanoma Clark level IV-V: 30% 5-year survival.
27
Pediatric orbital lymphoma 5-year EFS: 85%.
28
Enucleated uveal melanoma 5-year CSS: 75%.
29
GNAQ/GNA11 mutations: better prognosis than BAP1 loss, HR 0.4.
30
Retinoblastoma in low-resource settings: survival <60%.
Interpretation
Survival Rates and Prognosis Interpretation
While survival is overwhelmingly high for most cancers caught early and treated locally, these statistics reveal a devastatingly efficient metastasis network in uveal melanoma where a single lost chromosome can cut survival in half, and where geographic inequality still condemns the majority of the world's children with retinoblastoma to preventable death.
More related reading
04 · Category
Symptoms and Diagnosis30 stats
01
Poor vision or photophobia is present in 60% of retinoblastoma cases at diagnosis.
02
Iris color change noted in 80% of iris melanoma patients.
03
Leukocoria (white pupil) is the most common presenting sign in 56% of retinoblastoma cases.
04
Pain occurs in 25% of advanced uveal melanoma due to ciliary body involvement.
05
Conjunctival melanoma typically presents as pigmented conjunctival lesion in 90% cases.
06
Fundus photography detects 95% of choroidal melanomas >2mm thick.
07
B-scan ultrasonography shows acoustic hollowness in 85% uveal melanomas.
08
Fluorescein angiography: double circulation pattern in 70% suspicious nevi vs. melanoma.
09
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) identifies subretinal fluid in 92% small choroidal melanomas.
10
Biopsy confirmation rate for intraocular lymphoma: 80% via vitrectomy.
11
Strabismus present in 20% retinoblastoma at diagnosis.
12
Sentinel lymphadenopathy in 30% conjunctival melanoma.
13
Visual field defects in 40% of macular choroidal melanomas.
14
MRI detects 90% orbital extension in advanced eyelid cancers.
15
Cytology from aqueous tap: 70% diagnostic yield for vitreoretinal lymphoma.
16
Red eye and irritation in 75% conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma.
17
Gonioscopy reveals angle invasion in 15% iris melanomas.
18
Indocyanine green angiography: hotspots in 98% choroidal melanomas.
19
Anterior chamber cells in 50% masquerade syndrome lymphomas.
20
Exophthalmos in 60% orbital rhabdomyosarcoma.
21
Ptosis and diplopia in 40% lacrimal gland tumors.
22
Ultrasonographic tumor doublings score (TDS) >3.1 predicts malignancy in 95%.
23
Gene expression profiling class 1 vs 2: 97% accuracy for metastasis risk.
24
Slit-lamp biomicroscopy detects 100% iris melanomas >1mm.
25
Vitreous seeds in 7% retinoblastoma at presentation.
26
Dermoscopy: atypical vascular patterns in 85% conjunctival melanomas.
27
PET-CT staging detects 80% systemic metastases in uveal melanoma.
28
Anterior segment OCT: 90% thickness measurement accuracy for iris lesions.
29
Mass spectrometry for BAP1 loss: 84% concordance with histopathology.
30
Fundus autofluorescence: hyperAF rim in 70% small melanomas.
Interpretation
Symptoms and Diagnosis Interpretation
Each statistic is a breadcrumb left by the disease, and together they form a diagnostic trail that doctors must follow with both the sharp eyes of a detective and the heavy heart of someone who knows that even a 95% detection rate means someone, somewhere, becomes the tragic 5%.
05 · Category
Treatment and Management27 stats
01
Plaque brachytherapy is used in 85% of small-medium uveal melanomas preserving vision.
02
Chemotherapy cure rate for low-risk retinoblastoma: 93% with vincristine/carboplatin/etoposide.
03
Proton beam radiotherapy local control: 96% at 5 years for uveal melanoma.
04
Surgical excision for conjunctival melanoma: recurrence 26% if margins positive.
05
Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma: eye salvage 90% advanced cases.
06
Topical mitomycin C post-excision: reduces conjunctival SCC recurrence by 50%.
07
CyberKnife radiosurgery: 98% local control for small choroidal melanomas.
08
Immunotherapy tebentafusp for HLA-A*02:01 uveal melanoma: OS 73% at 1 year.
09
Cryotherapy for ciliary body ablation: 85% success in select iris melanomas.
10
Rituximab for ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma: 80% complete response.
11
Mohs micrographic surgery for eyelid BCC: 99% clearance rate.
12
Laser photocoagulation: 91% regression for small retinoblastomas.
13
PD-1 inhibitors: 5% response rate in metastatic uveal melanoma.
14
External beam radiation for orbital lymphoma: 95% local control.
15
Intravitreal melphalan for vitreous seeds: 47% clearance per injection.
16
Gamma Knife: 97% tumor control at 5 years for uveal melanoma.
17
Sentinel lymph node biopsy in conjunctival melanoma: upstages 20%.
18
Ruthenium-106 plaque: 92% local control, vision preservation 65%.
19
CAR-T therapy trials: 20% response in B7-H3 retinoblastoma.
20
5-FU/Interferon for conjunctival melanoma adjuvant: DFS 89% at 5 years.
21
Enucleation rate for retinoblastoma: declined to 5% in developed countries.
22
Belzutifan for von Hippel Lindau ocular hemangioblastomas: 50% response.
23
Dendritic cell vaccine trials: 15% immune response in uveal melanoma.
24
Orbital exenteration for advanced lacrimal carcinoma: 5-year survival 40%.
25
Transpupillary thermotherapy: 86% success for small posterior melanomas.
26
MEK inhibitors (trametinib): 20% PFS benefit in metastatic uveal melanoma.
27
Cryoablation for eyelid sebaceous carcinoma: recurrence 15% vs. 30% excision.
Interpretation
Treatment and Management Interpretation
While our arsenal of eye cancer treatments now offers precise and often vision-sparing success, these advances starkly highlight a sobering truth: our most sophisticated weapons are still met by a cunning enemy that often outmaneuvers systemic therapy once it escapes the eye.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Elena Vasquez. (2026, February 13). Eye Cancer Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/eye-cancer-statistics
MLA
Elena Vasquez. "Eye Cancer Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/eye-cancer-statistics.
Chicago
Elena Vasquez. 2026. "Eye Cancer Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/eye-cancer-statistics.
Sources & references
12 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level