Ocular melanoma: surgical experience with "no touch" enucleation

There is a controversy among ophthalmologists concerning the management of ocular melanomas. The "no touch" cryoenucleation technic was designed to prevent dissemination of tumor emboli during enucleation. I have observed no significant complications in five years of experience with this technic. It is a simple, safe, and potentially lifesaving procedure. My method is observation of very small lesions compatible with melanoma until growth occurs. At the 8 to 10 mm size or larger, "no touch" cryoenucleation is used provided the fellow eye is seeing.