Understanding Uveal Melanoma: A Rare but Serious Eye Cancer

Submitted by: Joshua Huang
Reviewed and approved by: Dr. Marie-Josée Aubin, Dr. Anne Xuan-Lan Nguyen

What is Uveal Melanoma?

Uveal melanoma (commonly referred to as ‘intraocular melanoma’) encompasses melanomas that arise in the iris, ciliary body, and choroid, all of which make up the uvea or uveal tract. The uvea is the second most common location for the development of melanoma, after the skin, and uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular cancer in adults. Although it is rare (it affects 5 adults out of 1 million people each year), it can lead to vision loss, eye loss and even death.

Symptoms

Although most patients are asymptomatic, symptoms can include:

Risk Factors

Diagnosis

  1. Complete eye examination, including a dilated view of the back of the eye (fundus)
  2. Ocular ultrasonography (B-scan)

Treatment Options

Conclusion

Despite advancing uveal melanoma treatment modalities, there has been no change in survival over the last 50 years. Therefore, awareness and prevention are critical to improving outcomes. talk to your doctor or eye care provider for a complete annual eye exam.

COS Forum 2025: Eyes on Tomorrow

Join us for an accredited, free webinar focused on the future of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society and the evolving landscape of vision care. This webinar will take place on January 23, at 7:00 PM EST.

Hear from speakers on key topics, including: Advocacy in Eye Health Barriers, Corneal Donation, Ergonomics and Injury Prevention, Ethical Considerations in Ophthalmology, and Annual Meeting Updates: 2025 AI Stream Preview.

After this session, participants will:


Join Dr. Nina Ahuja, Chair of the Council on Advocacy for the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, as she explores the multifaceted role of advocacy in ophthalmology. Discover how advocacy shapes clinical practice, drives research, raises public awareness, and influences health policy. Learn actionable strategies to amplify our collective voice, inspire meaningful change, and ensure a future of eye care defined by inclusivity, innovation, and excellence.

*Elisabeth Fowler covers this topic in our French Forum on January 29.

Dr. Adam Muzychuk shares exciting updates on the planning process and highlights of what to expect at the 2025 COS Annual Meeting in Vancouver. As the COS Annual Meeting Chair and a new member of the COS Board, Dr. Muzychuk discusses how the event is shaping up to be an extraordinary experience for Canadian ophthalmologists, featuring world-renowned experts across every subspecialty.

*Dr. Mona Dagher covers this topic in our French Forum on January 29.

Dr. Samir Jabbour delves into current guidelines on corneal donation and their impact on the Canadian eye banking system. His presentation will address the specific limitations faced by corneal donors from the MSM community and explore future opportunities to improve these regulations.

Dr. Chryssa McAlister runs a diverse comprehensive ophthalmology practice with an academic focus on bioethics and organizes the biennial Macrae Bioethics and Professionalism Course for senior ophthalmology residents. McAlister is a frequent speaker at conferences on topics of bioethics in ophthalmology and medical education. Her presentation will highlight how to cultivate virtues in a business model of ophthalmology. 

Dr. R. Rishi Gupta is on a mission to educate every Canadian Ophthalmologist on injury prevention and ergonomics. His presentation will highlight the strong collaboration and efforts of the newly established COS working group, and their lofty goals for the years to come. Not to worry – we’ve got your back!

*Dr. Cyril Archambault covers this topic in our French Forum on January 29.

Our COS President, Dr. Mona Dagher, will be moderating the session.

Together, let’s explore the future of ophthalmology in Canada.

2025 EPSAA Scientific Meeting

The Eye Physicians and Surgeons Association of Alberta is proud to announce that the 2025 Scientific Meeting and AGM is scheduled to take place from February 7th to February 8th, 2025 in Banff, Alberta.

From this program, learners are expected to:

The 2025 Eye Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta Annual Scientific Meeting is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1), as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and was approved by the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. Physicians may claim a maximum of 5.5 hours.

More program details are included in the PDF below. For more information on registration, click HERE.

01 & 02 – 2025 EPSAA Program Handout (1)Download

Whistler Cataract and Retina Update: Innovations and Insights

The Providence Health Department of Ophthalmology is pleased to announce that they will be hosting an in-person event called: Whistler Cataract and Retina Update: Innovations and Insights.

This one day event will bring together specialists for a day of learning with a focus on the integration of advanced IOL technologies in retina care to enhance surgical and patient outcomes.

When: Friday, February 28, 2025

Time: 8AM-4PM

Conference Location
Nita Lake Lodge
2131 Lake Placid Rd
Whistler, BC V8E 0B2
Directions/Map

Registration to this event includes: Course materials, welcome breakfast, lunch, refreshments and more!

Interested in registering? Click HERE for more information!

Tuesdays with the Titans: Ophthalmology Update & Review Lecture Series

The University of Alberta and ACUPO are eager to present: Tuesdays with the Titans: Ophthalmology Update and Review Lecture Series. This is a series of webinars that will be hosted on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 – 7:30 PM, MST. Learners are expected to:

The schedule is as follows:

DateSpeakerTopicUniversity
January 7th, 2025Alex KaplanUveitisUniversity of Toronto
January 14th, 2025Michel BelliveauOculoplasticsUniversity of Ottawa, Queens University
January 21st, 2025Ike AhmedCataractUniversity of Toronto, University of Utah
January 28th, 2025Kamiar Mireskandari and Crystal CheungPediatricsUniversity of Toronto
February 4th, 2025James FarmerPathologyUniversity of Ottawa, Queens University
February 11th, 2025Delan JinaprayaGlaucomaQueens University
February 18th, 2025Hall ChewCorneaUniversity of British Columbia
February 25th, 2025Paul GrewalRetinaUniversity of Alberta
March 4th, 2025Rahul Sharma and Claire SheldonNeuro-OphthalmologyUniversity of Toronto, University of British Columbia
March 11th, 2025Michael WanOpticsUniversity of Toronto

These webinars are eligible for MOC Section 1 Credits. Please contact ovsadmin@ualberta.ca for registration information.

Maximize Your MOC Credits

To ensure you make the most of your learning activities, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society has curated some resources to help you maximize your MOC credits.  

Discover how to make the most of your CPD activities and maximize your MOC credits throughout the year. This interactive mini-module guides you through a practical case study featuring Dr. Smith, who demonstrates how to turn diverse learning activities into optimal credit opportunities.

For the best user experience, we recommend accessing the course on a computer using a web browser. However, the module can still be accessed on a mobile device.

Joint Position Statement on the Use of Patented Microcurrent Technology for Dry AMD

The Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) and Canadian Retina Society (CRS) advise caution when considering a new microcurrent treatment for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While early studies suggest it may help, there isn’t enough long-term evidence to confirm its safety or effectiveness. Retinal specialists, given their extensive expertise in managing age-related macular degeneration, recommend that patients and doctors discuss the treatment carefully and understand its limitations before deciding. The joint position statement is available to read below:

Microcurrent Tech FINAL_ENG_Dec 6 2024Download

COS – THE EYECAN PODCAST- New Season!

The podcast features guest speakers from across Canada and innovative practitioners from around the world discussing diverse topics and how they impact ophthalmology. Topics range from emerging techniques and technologies to building individual resilience as Canadian physicians. Through it all, this podcast aims to build connections within the ophthalmological community, share our experiences, and to truly promote the value the profession brings to the lives of patients.

EyeCan Podcast – COS-SCO

Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts
Click here to listen on Spotify
Click here to listen on COS Media Player

Episode Guide Season 5

Episode 1: A Discussion on Capital Gains with guest Jean-Francois Bordeleau

Episode Guide Season 4

Episode 1: Sustainability in Ophthalmology w/guest Dr. Marie-Claude Robert

Episode 2: Age-related Macular Degeneration w/guest Dr. Ravi Dookeran

Episode 3: Dr. Phil Hooper, COS President – President’s Episode

Episode 4: Myopia – Can we slow down the growth? w/guest Dr. Vivian Hill

Episode 5: Upcoming Challenges in Retina w/guest Dr. Shaheer Aboobaker

Episode 6: Genetic Testing w/guest Dr. Sarah Chorfi

Episode 7: Barriers to Corneal Donations w/guest Dr. Samir Jabbour

Episode 8: Physician Wellness w/guest Dr. Nina Ahuja

Episode 9: Dry eye disease w/guest Dr. Louis Racine

Episode 10: Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology w/guest Dr. Delan Jinapriya

Episode 11: Ophthalmology in Academia w/guest Dr. Sherif El-Defrawy

Episode Guide Season 3

Episode 1: Dr. Phil Hooper, COS President – Vision for 2023 and Beyond

Episode 2: Fixing Canadian Health Care w/guest Dr. Robert Bell

Episode 3: Advocacy, Awareness and the National Vision Health Desk w/guest Dr. Vivian Hill

Episode 4: The Patient’s Journey w/guest Doug Purdy

Episode 5: Women in Ophthalmology w/guest Dr. Yvonne Buys & co-hosts Dr. Mona Dagher and Dr. Hady Saheb

Episode 6: Physician Health and Wellness, w/guest Susan Biali Haas

Episode 7: Dealing with Complaints Against your Practice w/guest Rishi Gupta

Episode 8: Ocular Oncology w/guest Dr. Carol Shields

Episode 9: Innovations in Retina Therapies w/guest Dr. David Brown

Episode 10: Artificial Intelligence w/guest Dr. Netan Choudhry

Episode 11: Tele-ophthalmology w/guest Dr. David Maberley

Episode 12: Canadian Ophthalmological Society Foundation w/guest Dr. Guillermo Rocha

Episode Guide Season 2

Episode 1: Intro to Season 2 and Part 1 of w/guest Lauren Brecher

Episode 2: Intro to Season 2 and Part 2 of w/guest Lauren Brecher

Episode 3
: Being a resident today w/guest Dr. Michael Nguyen

Episode 4
: Host Dr. Guillermo Rocha interviews another host, Dr. Setareh Ziai.

Episode 5: 
Strabismus Surgery w/guest Dr. Yi Ning J. Strube

Episode 6: 
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion w/guest Dr. Nupura Bakshi

Episode 7: 2022 at the Canadian Ophthalmological Society w/guest Dr. Colin Mann

Episode 8: Talking Markets and Investments with MD Financial w/guest Craig Maddock and Ian Taylor

Episode 9: Bioinformatics, deep learning, and clinical epidemiology w/guest Dr. Cecilia Lee

Episode 10: Mindfulness and Physician Wellness w/guest Dr. Agnes Wong

Episode 11: Global Ophthalmology w/guest Dr. Vivian Yin

Episode Guide Season 1

Episode 1: Podcast introduction and working in COVID

Episode 2: Gene Therapy ft. Dr. Robert K. Koenekoop

Episode 3: Innovation in Glaucoma ft. Dr. Hady Saheb

Episode 4: COVID-19 Second wave and beyond ft. Dr. James Chodosh

Episode 5: Navigating Retirement ft. Dr. Yvonne Buys

Episode 6: Physician Wellness w/guest Dr. Nina Ahuj‪a‬

Episode 7:The COS in 2021 w/guests Dr. Colin Mann and Elisabeth Fowle‪r‬

Episode 8: Competence by Design w/guest Dr. Stephanie Baxter

Episode 9: The Eye Bank w/guest Dr. Clara Chan

Episode 10: Innovating During a Pandemic w/guest Dr. Ike Ahmed

Episode 11: Physician-focused Financial Advice w/MD Financial Management

Diabetes Awareness Month

November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time to highlight the critical role ophthalmologists play in managing diabetic eye disease. To support your practice, the Practice Resource Centre has compiled a curated list of insightful journal articles, clinical guidelines, and patient resources focused on diabetic retinopathy and related complications. Explore these valuable tools to stay informed and enhance patient care.

For Guidelines:

Diabetes Canada – Diabetic Retinopathy Guidelines

American Academy of Ophthalmology – Guidelines on Diabetic Eye Care

For Articles:

Retinal Physician – The Evolution of Clinical Trial Endpoints for Diabetic Retinopathy

JMIR Diabetes – Implementation of Artificial Intelligence–Based Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Quebec: Prospective Validation Study

Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology – Spectral-domain OCT characteristics of intraretinal hyper-reflective foci associated with age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy

Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology – Long-term visual outcomes and fluid compartment changes in limited-early versus early response to anti-VEGF treatment for diabetic macular edema

Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology – https://www.canadianjournalofophthalmology.ca/article/S0008-4182(24)00173-X/abstract

For Consensus Statements:

Ophthalmology and Therapy – Diabetic Disease of the Eye in Canada: Consensus Statements from a Retina Specialist Working Group

For Correspondence:

Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology – Acute bilateral diabetic papillopathy in a child