Risk factors for ocular melanoma: Western Canada Melanoma Study

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).