Key Statistics for Eye Cancer

On this page

The 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society’s estimates for primary eye cancer (cancer that starts in the eye) in the United States for 2026 are:

  • About 3,200 new cancers (mainly melanomas) of the eye and orbit (eye socket) (1,720 in males and 1,480 in females)
  • About 530 deaths from cancers of the eye and orbit (280 in males and 250 in females)

Primary eye cancers can occur at any age, but some types are more likely during childhood, while others are more common in adults.

  • Retinoblastomas and medulloepitheliomas usually develop in young children, but the risk for most other types of eye cancer increases as people get older.
  • Melanoma is the most common cancer of the eye and orbit in adults, but most melanomas (more than 9 out of 10) start in the skin. Melanoma of the eye is much more common in White people than in Black people.

Secondary eye cancers (cancers that start in another part of the body and then spread to the eye) are actually more common than primary eye cancers.

For statistics on survival, see Eye Cancer Survival Rates.

Visit the for more key statistics.

side by side logos for 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society and 黑料大湿Posts Society of Clinical Oncology

Developed by the 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the 黑料大湿Posts Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2026. Atlanta, Ga: 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society; 2026.  

Harbour JW, Shih HA. Initial management of uveal and conjunctival melanomas. UpToDate. 2025. Accessed at https://www.uptodate.com/contents/initial-management-of-uveal-and-conjunctival-melanomas on April 8, 2025.

Houghton O, Gordon K. Chapter 64: Ocular Tumors. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Doroshow JH, Kastan MB, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa. Elsevier: 2020.

Last Revised: January 13, 2026

黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society Emails

Sign up to stay up-to-date with news, valuable information, and ways to get involved with the 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society.