Ciliary body melanoma appropriate in selected cases. Ciliary body melanoma Ciliary Body Melanoma is a type of cancer arising from the coloured part (uvea) of the eye. About 12% of uveal melanoma arise from the ciliary body. It occurs most commonly in the sixth decade. The tumour is usually diagnosed by clinical examination with a slit-lamp utilising a triple mirror contact lens. Ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) are also sometimes helpful in confirming the diagnosis. Enucleation (surgical removal of the eye) is the treatment of choice for large ciliary body melanomas. Small or medium sized tumors may be treated by an
Retinal pigment epithelium The RPE is composed of a single layer of hexagonal cells that are densely packed with pigment granules. At the ora serrata, the RPE continues as a membrane passing over the ciliary body and continuing as the back surface of the iris. This generates the fibers of the dilator. Directly beneath this epithelium is the neuroepithelium (i.e., rods and cones) passes jointly with the RPE. Both, combined, are understood to be the ciliary epithelium of the embryo. The front end continuation of the retina is the posterior iris epithelium, which takes on pigment when it enters the iris. When viewed