Bilateral isolated choroidal melanocytosis
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026
Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 2, 2022
Howard F Fine1, Claudia Brue, Chiara Eandi
1From *Vitreous, Retina, Macula Consultants of New York, the LuEsther T. Mertz Retina Research Laboratory, Manhattan Eye Ear and Throat Hospital, New York; †Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York; ‡University Politecnica della Marche, Ancona, Italy; §Department of Dermatology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York; and ¶Department of Dermatology, Dermatopathology Section, New York University School of Medicine, New York.
Background:
Isolated choroidal melanocytosis refers to patchy melanocytic choroidal hyperpigmentation without the associated scleral or cutaneous pigmentation seen in ocular melanocytosis or oculodermal melanocytosis. Neither bilateral nor diffuse cases, to our knowledge, have been previously described in the literature.
Methods:
Case report.
Patient:
A 43-year-old woman without cutaneous or scleral hyperpigmentation or vitiligo was noted to have diffuse patchy melanocytic choroidal hyperpigmentation with feathered margins for nearly 12 clock hours in both eyes. Large choroidal vascular sparing was noted in several areas.
Results:
B-scan ultrasonography demonstrated a normal choroidal thickness. Cutaneous biopsy with Fontana Masson stain for melanin was within normal limits, without giant melanosomes.
Conclusions:
Isolated choroidal melanocytosis may present bilaterally and diffusely.
