Melanoma of the uveal tract is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults, yet few risk factors have been identified. Individuals with light-colored eyes have been found to be at greater risk than those with brown eyes in both reports that have been published to date while those with red or blond hair were found to be at greater risk in one study. The lack of eye protection while in the sun was also noted. The incidence of uveal melanoma in whites, at 6/ million/year, is eight times the incidence in blacks. We conducted a case-control study to determine risk factors for uveal tract melanoma. We also were interested in the similarity between risk factors for uveal melanoma and cutaneous mela noma.