Oculodermal melanocytosis and retinitis pigmentosa

Don't it make my blue eyes brown: heterochromia and other abnormalities of the iris

Eye colour is one of the most important characteristics in determining facial appearance. In this paper I shall discuss the anatomy and genetics of normal eye colour, together with a wide and diverse range of conditions that may produce an alteration in normal iris pigmentation or form.

Orbital malignant melanoma and oculodermal melanocytosis: report of two cases and review of the literature

Oculodermal melanocytosis is a congenital melanoblastic hamartoma affecting ocular tissues and facial skin. It is seen more commonly in oriental and black patients. Malignant degeneration, once believed to be rare in this syndrome, occurs in 4.6% of all reported cases, and is more frequent in whites. The actual incidence of malignant melanoma in this syndrome is difficult to determine as many uncomplicated cases go unreported. The most common site of malignant melanoma associated with this entity is in the choroid. Four previously described orbital tumors represent the second most frequent area of presentation. A review of the literature in this disease is discussed as well as a new case of orbital malignant melanoma associated with it. A second case of presumed orbital melanoma associated with oculodermal melanocytosis is also discussed.

Ocular melanocytosis and angioid streaks

Unilateral angioid streaks of the ocular fundus with homolateral ocular melanocytosis in a 49-year-old white woman are reported. The findings are substantiated by fluorescein angiography. The local changes related to ocular melanocytosis probably precipitated the formation of angioid streaks in the genetically predisposed patient. Two greyish-yellow patches were also found on ophthalmoscopy of the involved eye. One of these, located in the paramacular region, exhibited definite progression, and transformed into a disciform lesion without implicating the macula. The presence of these likely precursors of angioid streaks about the macula is more ominous. A comment about the relationship between melanocytosis, angioid streaks, and phakomatoses is added.

Retinitis pigmentosa

The authors review the symptomatic and genetic aspects of the various entities of isolated retinitis pigmentosa (R.P), both in its typical form and in the forms associated with the affection of other ocular tissues. Syndromes in which R. P. is associated with the affection of other organs and systemic disorders are also cconsidered. Origin, diagnosis and the course of the disease are discussed with regard to electrophysiology, histopathology, fluorescein angiography and biochemistry. Animal research has provided new realizations about the ultrastructure and physiological mechanisms of retinal photoreceptors, and better understanding of abnormal changes. The possible pathogenesis of the human disease, based on research findings, is onsidered. Although R.P. is generally thought to be to be an "untreatable" disease, therapy may be effective in several pathological entities. Methods and results of therapy with vitamins, light deprivation and vision aids are discussed.