It has now been found that the p53 pathway is inactivated in ocular cancers such as retinoblastoma. As such, the present invention is a method for inducing ocular cancer cell death using a p53 activator. In particular embodiments, the p53 activator blocks the interaction between DM2 or DMX and p53. As the p53 activator induces ocular cancer cell death, a method for preventing or treating ocular cancer is also provided.