Enucleation after argon laser photocoagulation for choroidal melanoma

We report the case of a choroidal melanoma 3 disc-diameter in size and 1 mm in thickness located superiorly at 2 disc-diameters from the optic disc. Argon laser photocoagulation was done in 1977. No recurrence was observed for eight years. In 1985, the melanoma suddenly reappeared, invading the posterior pole and causing secondary retinal detachment. The histologic examination after enucleation revealed a spindle-cell melanoma. Considering the fluorescein angiographic findings, we question the effectiveness of argon laser photocoagulation of choroidal melanoma.