Ciliary body melanocytoma: Clinical features and natural course in 15 patients

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To report the clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of melanocytoma of the ciliary body. Methods: Retrospective case series. Results: The mean patient age was 43 years and 12 (80%) were Caucasian. The most common symptom was blurred vision in 3 patients (20%) and 6 patients (40%) were asymptomatic. Visual acuity was better than 20/40 in 13 patients (87%) and 1 patient (7%) had increased intraocular pressure (>21 mmHg). Of 15 patients with ciliary body melanocytoma, the lesion was black in 15 patients (100%), dome shaped in 15 (100%), associated with anterior chamber angle seeds in 5 (33%)and anterior chamber involvement in 9 patients (60%). Tumor base was mean of 8 mm and thickness of 6 mm. Ultrasonography showed acoustic solidity in 11 of 11 patients (100%). The treatment was excisional biopsy in 9 (60%), observation in 3 patients (20%), and enucleation in 3 (20%). Conclusions: Melanocytoma of the ciliary body is rare. Anterior chamber seeding or invasion is common.

Keywords: melanoma • melanocytes • ciliary body