title: Evidence for the Role of Blue Light in the Development of Uveal Melanoma.
abstract: Uveal melanoma is the most common malignancy of the adult eye. Although it is a relatively infrequent tumor, clinical prognosis is often poor owing to a high incidence of aggressive metastatic disease, for which there are limited treatment options. Little is known about the etiology of this condition, although several risk factors have been identified. Unlike cutaneous melanoma, however, ultraviolet radiation does not figure prominently among these risk factors. In this review, we focus on an associated form of visible electromagnetic radiation, high-energy short-wave (blue) light, a causative agent in various forms of age-related retina damage, as a previously overlooked risk factor in uveal melanoma development and progression. Finally, we discuss the impact of these data on contemporary ocular therapy, particularly the debate surrounding the filtering capabilities of intraocular lenses used to replace dysfunctional crystalline lenses during cataract surgery.
authors.affiliation: The Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 2B4.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.affiliation: Alcon Laboratories Inc., Fort Worth, TX 76134, USA.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernabeu
authors.affiliation: Alcon Laboratories Inc., Fort Worth, TX 76134, USA.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: The Henry C. Witelson Ocular Pathology Laboratory, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 2B4.
authors.forename: Miguel N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Burnier