&NA;The effects of &bgr;‐radiation on melanoma implanted into the hamster's eye were investigated. Two Bomirski hamster melanomas (BHMs), differing in their melanin content, were compared with regard to their radiosensitivity to ruthenium‐106 (106Ru) radiation. Tumours growing in the iris were irradiated with 3, 6 or 10 Gy of106Ru given as a single dose or in four fractions at 24 h intervals. Tumour growth kinetics and distant metastases were studied, and the eyeballs were examined histologically. Dose‐dependent delay of tumour growth was observed in both melanomas. After treatment with a dose of 6 Gy, the Ab amelanotic tumours grew 2.6 times slower, and the Ma melanotic tumours 1.4 times slower than untreated ones. The location of metastases differed in the two tested lines — pigmented metastases were found mainly in the lungs, while unpigmented metastases were found mainly in the kidneys. Histopathological analysis showed signs of blood vessel damage such as endothelial cells swelling, erythrocyte extravasation and tumour necrosis. This last finding increased with the rising dose of &bgr;‐radiation. Pigmented tumours were found to be two times more resistant to &bgr;‐radiation than amelanotic ones. The pattern of metastases of BHMs is determined by the type of melanoma (Ab or Ma). Exposure to &bgr;‐radiation from106Ru did not significantly affect either the number or size of metastases except at a dose of 10 Gy. This dose caused a statistically significant decrease in the number of metastases in the Ma melanotic subline.