Anterior segment tumours of the eye are rare, but the spectrum of diseases that can cause them ranges from being completely benign, bearing no impact on the patient, to being the first evidence of terminal metastatic cancer. The risks associated with obtaining a specimen for pathological diagnosis means that a thorough understanding of the clinical and imaging features of these tumours is essential for making the correct diagnosis. 

This article will review the prevalence, aetiology, clinical features and treatment of the most common forms of anterior segment tumours, including iris naevus, iris melanoma, ciliary body melanoma and metastatic disease to the anterior segment.