Abstract
Purpose: :
To describe the autofluorescence (AF) features of intraocular tumors
Methods: :
Retrospective review of 2000 patients with choroidal nevus, choroidal melanoma, and other intraocular tumors.
Results: :
The AF findings were divided into intrinsic tumor AF and overlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) AF. Most intraocular tumors showed little intrinsic AF. Both choroidal nevus and melanoma showed slight hypoAF. However, the overlying retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) displayed striking AF findings dependent on RPE atrophy (hypoAF) or RPE stimulation (hyperAF). Chronic tumors, like choroidal nevus, showed abrupt hypoAF of the RPE due to RPE atrophy. Relatively fresh tumors like choroidal melanoma with overlying orange pigment showed brilliant, granular hyperAF of the RPE. Tumors with fresh overlying subretinal fluid showed bright hyperAF, brightest at the edge of the detachment, whereas tumors with dried subretinal fluid showed RPE atrophy and hypoAF. Treated melanoma displayed RPE atrophy and hypoAF. Intrinsic tumors of the RPE like congenital hypertrophy showed absolute hypoAF with slight AF through the lacunae.
Conclusions: :
Autofluorescence is a valuable, noninvasive tool for assessment of the RPE and could provide information helpful in the differentiation of intraocular tumors.
Keywords: tumors • melanoma • choroid