Researchers are investigating new methods for treating eye cancers. These include:

• Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS). This study involves the results of clinical trials conducted by 43 medical centers. The pooled resources have been used to investigate treatments for choroidal melanoma.
  
  
• Biological therapy (also called immunotherapy). Clinical trials are investigating the effects of cytokines, vaccines and other biological therapies on melanomas and lymphomas. Although most of these clinical trials involve patients with skin melanomas and lymphomas that primarily appear in the lymph nodes, the results of these studies may help treat patients with the intraocular version of these conditions as well.
  
  
• Radiation therapy. Researchers are working to improve external beam radiation therapy to treat eye cancer. Technology has focused on gamma knife treatment, proton beam therapy and intensity-modulated conformal therapy. These methods offer more precise beams of radiation to destroy cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue.


• Genetics. Scientists are exploring the genetic causes of melanoma. This may allow them to develop melanoma screening tests and gene therapies to cure the condition.