Extending from the optic disc to the pupillary margin,, the vascular uvea contains melanocytes that can transform, into what is the most common primary intraocular, malignancy in adults, uveal melanoma (UM).1-3 Further,, the uveal layer can be anterior to posteriorly divided into, iris, ciliary body, and choroidal portions. COMS examined, choroidal melanomas and found their average, presenting age to be 60 years; however, uveal melanomas, can occur as early as infancy.1,4,5, Younger patients with choroidal melanoma tend to, have a better prognosis, and it’s thought due to a better, immunological profile.1-3,6 UM incidence is nearly equally, distributed between males and females.1,7 The most common, location of the tumor is the choroid (85%–90%),, followed by the ciliary body (5%–8%) and iris (3%–, 5%).1,2 The annual age-adjusted incidence per million, population is 6.02 for non-Hispanic whites, 1.67 for Hispanics,, 0.38 for Asians, and 0.31 for blacks.8, UMs may arise de novo or from pre-existing uveal nevi., They are also more common in patients with outdoor, occupations, beneath Australia’s ozone hole, on the, sun-exposed lower half of the iris, and in arc welders., This suggests ultraviolet light exposure is a predisposing, factor. However, the etiologic risks of ultraviolet, light exposure have been disputed.9 In addition, several, geographical clusters of UM (primarily affecting, young patients) have been discovered with no identifiable, genetic or environmental factors (e.g., Huntersville,, NC, USA and Auburn, AL, USA).10, UM is not hereditary; however, there have been reports, of familial cases affecting several family members.11, Melanoma is typically a unilateral, unifocal disease, but, cases of primary bilateral or multifocal tumors have been, published.12,13 BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome has, been associated with an increased risk of developing UM, (2.8% incidence) compared to 0.0061% in the general, population.14,15 Like most cancers, the development of, UM is likely multifactorial.