Ocular findings in oculodermal melanocytosis
C. Teekhasaenee, R. Ritch, U. Rutnin and N. Leelawongs
Department of Ophthalmology, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
We examined 194 patients with oculodermal melanocytosis. Dermal involvement
alone was present in 67 (34.5%) patients, while 12 (6.2%) had only ocular
involvement. The remaining 115 (59.3%) patients had both ocular and dermal
pigmentation. Dermal hyperpigmentation in the combined distribution of the
ophthalmic and maxillary divisions of the trigeminal nerve and
hyperpigmentation of the nasal or buccal mucosa were closely associated
with ocular involvement. Ocular hyperpigmentation most commonly involved
the episclera. Associated ocular findings included elevated intraocular
pressure with or without glaucoma (10.3%), uveitis (2.6%), cataract (1%),
asymmetric cupping of the optic nerve head unassociated with glaucoma
(9.8%), and orbital melanoma (0.5%). The most serious complication of
oculodermal melanocytosis is malignant transformation, while glaucoma
appears to be the more common one. Patients with oculodermal melanocytosis
and ocular hyperpigmentation should be followed up at regular intervals for
the development of either of these complications.
