A previous observation of increased aqueous magnesium in eyes with senile cataract has been re-examined in a totally different material. The serum and aqueous level of calcium and magnesium from 34 patients with senile cataract were tested against comparable values from 4 patients with choroidal melanoma. In contrast to calcium, the magnesium aqueous/serum ratio was significantly higher in the cataract group. Possible explanations are suggested.