CURE OM (the Community United for Research and Education of Ocular Melanoma) is the MRF’s initiative to increase awareness, education and research funding for ocular melanoma, while improving the lives of people affected by this disease. Founded in 2011, the CURE OM initiative excels because of the hard work and dedication of its Patient and Scientific Steering Committees and the generosity of our community. Show your support with a tax-deductible donation to the CURE OM initiative today!

Different types of melanoma of the eye include:

Uveal Melanoma

Melanoma that arises in the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which includes the choroid, iris, and ciliary body. Uveal melanoma can form in any of these layers and is named for where it forms:

• Choroidal melanoma begins in the layer of blood vessels – the choroid – beneath the retina. It is the most common type of uveal melanoma. Choroidal nevi (benign pigmented spots) can sometimes transform into choroidal melanoma, so regular monitoring by an ophthalmologist is important.
• Iris melanoma occurs in the front, colored part of the eye. Iris melanomas usually grow slowly and less commonly spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
• Ciliary melanoma occurs in the part of the eye between the iris and the choroid. Tumors in the ciliary body are more likely to grow larger before being detected and may have a higher risk of metastasis.

Conjunctivial Melanoma

The conjunctiva is the clear tissue that covers the white part of the eye, as well as the inside of the eyelids. Conjunctival melanoma is an extremely rare form of eye melanoma. It often appears as a raised tumor and may contain little or even no pigment. Conjunctival melanoma most commonly occurs in the bulbar conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the outer surface of the eyeball.  

Unlike uveal melanoma, which most often spreads to the liver, conjunctival melanoma is more likely to spread (metastasize) to regional lymph nodes and the lungs.

In 2021, CURE OM launched the VISION Registry, a global patient-reported registry to support advances in ocular melanoma research and treatment development. Designed with the guidance of the Registry Steering Committee, the VISION Registry will inform patient-centered research initiatives focused on policy, patient preferences and standards of care. In addition to collecting invaluable data about diagnosis, disease progression, treatment choice and outcomes, geography and environmental factors, the registry supports the collaboration of patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry to find a cure together.

In 2023, the MRF’s CURE OM initiative expanded the VISION Registry to create the VISION Platform. The goal of the VISION Platform, is to unite the global ocular melanoma (OM) community by providing an interactive and innovative central place where dispersed patients and caregivers can access disease-specific resources and tools and share their knowledge and experiences with each other and to advance research. The VISION Platform continues to grow in collaboration with OM patient and community input and feedback and currently encompasses the following key components:

Thank you for your interest in VISION.

The VISION Platform is on a temporary administrative hold. If you are already enrolled in VISION you will be notified by email when the study is up and running again. If you are not already enrolled and/or have questions or concerns or require additional resources please reach out to Miriam Kadosh at mkadosh@melanoma.org. Thank you for your patience!