Ocular melanomas and melanocytic lesions of the eye☆,☆☆
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OCULAR ANATOMY
The eye is composed of three primary layers: the cornea and sclera; the uveal layer (iris, ciliary body, and choroid); and the retina (Fig. 1).The cornea is a transparent, avascular tissue that acts like a crystal, allowing the transmission of light into the eye and focusing it upon the retina. The sclera is the opaque fibrous outer layer that adjoins the cornea anteriorly. The episclera is the outermost layer of the sclera. The area at which the cornea and sclera meet
Benign epithelial melanosis
Benign epithelial melanosis is a common, conjunctival lesion that has been compared to cutaneous ephelides. It is often bilateral, and appears as a brown, flat, patchy area of conjunctival hyperpigmentation, commonly at the limbus. These lesions are confined to the conjunctiva and move freely over the globe. This feature may help distinguish them from other more potentially serious lesions. Benign epithelial melanosis, unlike cutaneous ephelides, has a predilection for dark-skinned persons as
Conjunctival melanoma
Conjunctival melanomas account for only 2% of all ocular melanomas. They often appear as a variably pigmented area located at the limbus. However, they may be amelanotic. These tumors may arise de novo, from a preexisting nevus, or most commonly, from a lesion of PAM. According to one study, 56% of conjunctival melanomas arose from PAM, 26% from conjunctival nevi, and 18% de novo. However, these relative percentages vary considerably in the literature.9, 19, 24 Any mass or thickened lesion
Acknowledgements
We thank Dr. Peter Donshik and Bob Fagan from the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine for the use of their clinical photographs in this article.
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Melanocytic lesions of the conjunctiva: an up-to-date review
2024, Diagnostic HistopathologyMalignant transformation of a nevus of Ito: Description of a rare case
2011, Actas Dermo-SifiliograficasDermal melanocytoses and variants
2008, Diagnostic HistopathologyCitation Excerpt :Malignant transformation of a blue naevus is rare and just over 50 cases have been reported in the literature.37,38 It is seen most commonly arising from the cellular variant but cases have also been documented in the common type, in naevus of Ota, and even less commonly in naevus of Ito.4,5 It is known by several names including malignant blue naevus, malignant cellular blue naevus and melanoma arising in a blue naevus.
Surgical waiting times for ocular and periocular cancer patients in Toronto
2007, Canadian Journal of OphthalmologyClassification and Histopathology of Melanoma
2020, Cutaneous Melanoma, Sixth Edition
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