Solitary iris nevus associated with peripheral anterior synechiae and iris endothelialization

Two middle-aged patients developed pigmented intrastromal iris nevi and an associated loss of the surrounding iris stromal markings suggestive of a surface iris membrane. Because of the fear of malignant melanoma with superficial growth, we excised the lesions. Histopathologic examination of the specimens revealed that the pigmented lesions were benign iris nevi and that the surrounding membrane was caused by endothelial cell growth onto the iris from peripheral anterior synechiae. These synechiae occurred anterior to Schwalbe's line in the same sector as the nevi and had been noted preoperatively at gonioscopic examination, but their diagnostic significance was not appreciated.