Risk factors for ocular melanoma: Western Canada Melanoma Study

Abstract

Between April 1, 1979, and March 31, 1981, 90 individuals in the four western provinces of Canada were diagnosed as having ocular melanomas. Of 87 age-eligible cases (age 20-79 yr), 65 (75%) were interviewed along with age- and sex-matched controls chosen at random from the provincial populations. Individuals with blue eyes had a significantly greater crude risk of ocular melanoma than those with brown eyes [odds ratio (OR)=3.0, P=.04]. Subjects with red or blonde hair were at higher risk of having ocular melanoma than those with black or dark-brown hair (OR=7.7, P=.03). Indoor workers appeared to be at elevated risk for ocular melanoma even after controlling for eye and hair color (OR=3.5, P=.006).