Epidemiology of Choroidal Melanoma at a Malaysian Eye Centre

1. Sree Kumar Palani
2. Tan Siow Wei
3. Nor Fariza Ngah
4. W. Zalina M. Zain

Ophthalmology Department, Selayang Hospital, Malaysia.

Purpose: To study the epidemiology of choroidal melanoma patients in our center.

Methods: Retrospective record review of patients. Choroidal melanoma was diagnosed via clinical appearance and radio imaging findings.

Results: A total number of 12 patients were reviewed between 2006 and 2010. It was noted that males outnumber females. There were 9 male patients and 3 female patients. The age ranged between 25 to 72 years. There were 8 Malay and 4 Chinese patients. However there were no Indians in our study.

Conclusion: Ethnicity appears to play a role as no Indian patients with Choroidal Melanoma were seen in our study. Males outnumber females by 3:1. Larger multi centred studies are needed to study the various genetic and environmental factors involved in the pathogenesis of choroidal melanoma.