Choroidal melanomas and paving stone degeneration

The association between malignant melanoma of the choroid and paving stone degeneration noted anterior to this tumor is described in five eyes. Presumably, the paving stone lesions develop from peripheral choroidal insufficiency induced by vascular compromise from the space-occupying tumor. This phenomenon is not unique to choroidal melanomas, for we have also observed it in association with a choroidal nevus and a metastatic carcinoma to the choroid.