Uveal melanoma prevention and screening in Poland

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the eyeball in adults, with approximately 300 to 400 new cases diagnosed annually in Poland. According to Professor Agnieszka Kamińska, the tumor most frequently develops in the choroid, located at the back of the eye.

Early stages of the disease are often asymptomatic and may only be detected during routine eye examinations. Warning signs include decreased visual acuity, flashes or spots in the field of vision, visual field defects, image distortions, and occasionally eye pain or visible changes in the iris.

Prevention efforts emphasize the importance of high-quality sunglasses that provide full UV-A and UV-B protection, as UV radiation is considered a potential risk factor alongside traits such as light iris color, fair complexion, and age. In the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, the local government is organizing free screening examinations as part of the ‘Dobry wzrok Mazowszan’ initiative. Treatment options vary based on tumor size and location, with brachytherapy—the temporary application of a radioactive plaque to the eye wall—being a common method for eye-sparing treatment.