A Retrospective Study of Ocular Cancer in Saudi Arabia: 25-Year Analysis

BACKGROUND: Ocular malignancies are uncommon among eye diseases; however, they jeopardize both vision and life. The main objective of this study was to use to describe the epidemiology of eye and ocular adnexa malignancies across different ages and sex. METHODS: The King Khaled University institutional review board approved this study. Data on ocular cancer were retrieved from the Saudi Cancer Registry between 1994 and 2018. The registry collected important patient information such as demographic information (age, gender, and nationality), clinical details, and tumor classification. RESULTS: The total number of cases with ocular cancer diagnosed was 1051 cases. The highest number was recorded in Riyadh (35.39%, n=372), followed by Makkah (16.93%, n=178). The incidence was higher in the 0–4 years’ age group (55.21%), and it got down as people got older. The data also revealed differences in the number of reported cases over time, as well as in the representation of eye cancer cases by gender and nationality. While many ocular cancer pathologies were seen, with “Retinoblastoma, not otherwise specified” being the most common (53.32%), the incidence rates for males and females remained largely stable over time. CONCLUSION: The study emphasizes the need for continued monitoring, research, and analysis of potential of epidemiology of ocular cancer occurrence in Saudi Arabia. Identifying the geographical distribution and age pattern of Ocular malignancies have the potential to assist healthcare authorities and policymakers in developing precise strategies to reduce, recognize at an early stage, and successfully manage this condition.