Background Uveal melanoma (UVM) is the leading cause of eye-related mortality worldwide. This study aimed to explore the expression and prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in UVM. Methods Gene expression levels were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Oncomine databases. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database. GeneMANIA was then applied to construct a protein-protein interaction network and identify the hub genes. Moreover, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) analysis for the hub genes was performed using the UALCAN and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) online tool. Furthermore, TRRUST was used to predict the targets of the MMPs. Results Our results revealed that the transcriptional levels of MMP1, MMP9, MMP10, MMP11, MMP13, MMP14, and MMP17 were upregulated in UVM tissues compared to normal tissues. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and the top 50 hub genes were identified. The functions of MMPs and their neighboring proteins are mainly associated with ECM-receptor interaction, proteoglycans in cancer, the IL-17 signaling pathway, and microRNAs in cancer. Among the MMPs, MMP1/2/9/11/14/15/16/17/24 played significant roles in the progression of UVM from stage 3 to stage 4. We also found that the expression of MMP1, MMP2, MMP9, and MMP16 positively correlated with OS and DFS in patients with UVM. Additionally, 18 transcription factors associated with nine MMPs were identified. Conclusions The results of this study may provide potential biomarkers and targets for UVM. However, further studies are required to confirm these results.

BACKGROUND Due to some similarities in the manifestations between central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV), PCV may be misdiagnosed as CSC. More attention should be paid to distinguishing these two disorders. CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old woman presented to our hospital with blurred vision in her left eye for approximately 1 wk. Anterior segment and intraocular pressure findings were normal in both eyes. Fundus photography of the left eye showed a seemingly normal adult oculus fundus without any obvious hard exudate or hemorrhage. Optical coherence tomography exhibited a hypo-reflective space beneath both the neurosensory retina and the pigment epithelium layer. The late phase of fluorescein angiography revealed increased leakage. The patient was initially diagnosed with CSC. At follow-up, however, the final diagnosis turned out to be PCV. CONCLUSION CSC and PCV are two different retinal entities. Lipid deposition and hemorrhage are the most important elements that lead to confusion between these two entities. Indocyanine green angiography should be performed to make a definitive diagnosis, especially in cases with suspected PCV.