Fluorescein Angiography of Choroidal Melanomas

Abstract

Thirty-six patients with intraocular malignant melanomas were studied using fluorescein angiography. Of these, 86% demonstrated a pattern characterized by gradually increasing fluorescence which starts at or before the arterial phase, increases in intensity well into the recirculation phase, and persists for at least 45 minutes. Five of 36 melanomas studied did not conform to this pattern. Analysis of these five cases revealed that heavy pigmentation of the tumor and subretinal hemorrhage or exudate obscured the expected fluorescence. Fourteen patients with benign melanoma of the choroid, with and without drusen, were also studied by fluorescein angiography.