Epidemiology:

  • Incidence of primary intraocular melanoma in United States is 4.3-6 cases per 1 million per year
    • Ciliary body melanoma represents 1/10th of these cases
    • Higher in Southern US (more sunlight exposure, older Americans tend to retire South)
  • Incidence high in Demark and other Scandinavian countries
  • 97.8% of cases occur in White patients
    • Extremely rare in Black patients
  • Peak incidence at 55 years of age