To explore size, growth, and topographic distribution of choroidal nevi in children to gain insights into choroidal nevogenesis.
Retrospective consecutive case series using pediatric clinic - and population-study data, comparing to adult data.
Clinical data from Cole Eye Institute (CEI) database (December 2005-January 2023) was derived from a retrospective consecutive case series of 20 children (< 20 years) with choroidal nevi. For population data, 48 children from previously reported pooled data of the participants of the Sydney Pediatric Eye Disease Study, Sydney Myopia Study, Sydney Childhood Eye Study, and Sydney Adolescent Vascular and Eye Disease Study were included. Fundus photographs were reviewed and the locations of 18 choroidal nevi seen at CEI with widefield imaging were mapped on a radial scatter plot. For comparison, 100 consecutive adults with choroidal nevi were identified from CEI database. Main outcomes were size, growth, and topographic distribution of choroidal nevi.
The median largest basal diameter was 1.6 mm (range 0.4-4.2) in children. Most choroidal nevi (75%) remained stable, and 16% demonstrated growth at follow-up. The mean growth rate was calculated as 0.12 mm/year (range 0.10-0.15). Malignant transformation was not noted during childhood. All secondary changes (drusen, orange pigment, and subretinal fluid) associated with choroidal nevi in children were less common than those in adults (p < .05). Choroidal nevi in children were located significantly more posterior than in adults. The median distance to fovea was 2.1 mm (range 0.5-8.5) in children and 5.1 mm (range 0.4-16) in adults (p < .0001).
The onset and growth of choroidal nevi in children suggest active choroidal nevogenesis in childhood. A posterior topographic distribution may support the developmental framework for migration and maturation of choroidal melanoblasts.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in patients with indeterminate small choroidal melanocytic lesions (SCMLs).
METHODS: Retrospective case series.
METHODS: Forty-seven patients with choroidal melanocytic lesions 2.5 mm or less in tumor thickness and ≤ 10 mm in largest basal diameter (LBD).
METHODS: Blood samples were analyzed for CTCs and the presence of monosomy-3 (M3) in CTCs. Tissue biopsy was performed in the patients who were CTC-positive (pCTC).
METHODS: Presence and M3 status of the CTCs with regard to the clinical characteristics and results from tissue biopsy.
RESULTS: Median thickness of all (n = 47) lesions was 1.1 mm (range: 0.2-2.5 mm), and LBD was 5.6 mm (range: 2.0-10.0 mm). Circulating tumor cells were found in 25 patients (n = 25). This group was classified as pCTC and compared with the CTC-negative (nCTC) group consisting of 22 patients (n = 22). Median tumor dimensions in the pCTC versus the nCTC group were 1.6 mm (range: 0.6-2.5 mm) versus 0.5 mm (range: 0.2-2.5 mm) for thickness and 6.6 mm (range: 4.1-10.0 mm) versus 4.0 mm (range: 2.0-8.0 mm) for LBD, respectively. Both LBD and thickness were positively associated (P < 0.001) with the presence of CTC. Compared with the nCTC group, a higher percentage of the pCTC group exhibited LBD > 5 mm (36% vs. 88%), subretinal fluid (9.1% vs. 56%), orange pigment (4.5% vs. 60%), sonographic hollowness (9.1% vs. 60%), and the presence of multiple risk factors (0% vs. 68% for ≥3 factors) with P < 0.001 for all parameters. No significant difference was detected in the clinical parameters of the patients who had disomy-3 (D3) (n = 7) versus M3 (n = 17) in their CTC. The tissue biopsy confirmed the uveal melanoma (UM) in 22 of the 25 pCTC patients (88%), whereas no conclusive diagnosis could be determined in the remaining 3 cases because of insufficient or invalid material.
CONCLUSIONS: We report compelling evidence for the potential of liquid biopsy as an additional tool to screen SCMLs for malignancy. These findings pave the way toward the implementation of liquid biopsy to detect small UM and monitor melanocytic lesions.
BACKGROUND: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

UNASSIGNED: A number of articles report the association of polypoidal lesions and choroidal nevi; however, the relationship between choroidal nevi and pachychoroidal disorders has not been studied.
UNASSIGNED: To study the prevalence of choroidal nevi in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) patients and to elucidate potential differences in the clinical characteristics of CSCR in patients with and without choroidal nevi.
UNASSIGNED: Case-control study.
UNASSIGNED: This study included a retrospective analysis of medical records and multimodal imaging data of CSCR patients and a prospective evaluation of the prevalence of the choroidal nevi in age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants received comprehensive ophthalmic examination and multimodal imaging including infrared scanning laser ophthalmoscopy in dark-field mode to detect choroidal nevi in the central 40° × 60° region.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 199 CSCR patients (160 males and 39 females, 47.9 ± 9.4 years) and 184 age-matched healthy individuals (139 males and 45 females, 44.8 ± 12.5 years) were included. Choroidal nevi were detected in 24 (12.1%) CSCR patients and 10 (5.4%) healthy controls (p = 0.01). CSCR patients with choroidal nevi had statistically significantly higher subfoveal choroidal thickness, lower best-corrected visual acuity, and lower central retinal thickness (p < 0.05) than CSCR patients without choroidal nevi. The odds ratio for the presence of chronic CSCR in patients with choroidal nevi was 27.0 (95% CI: 3.1-231.9, p = 0.003).
UNASSIGNED: The prevalence of choroidal nevi among patients with CSCR is higher than in age- and sex-matched healthy population. Choroidal nevi may be associated with chronic CSCR.

Choroidal melanoma requires reliable and precise clinical examination and diagnosis to differentiate it from benign choroidal nevi. To achieve accurate diagnosis, as well as monitoring the progression of disease, various imaging modalities are used, including non-invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). This review begins with a historical account of the development of OCT and OCTA and the methods of generation of images. This outlines the understanding of what OCT/OCTA images show, as well as how image artifacts arise. The anatomy and imaging of specific vascular layers of the eye are introduced. Then, anatomical aspects of choroidal melanoma, its diagnosis and differentiation from metastasis, and choroidal nevi are presented. The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate application of OCT and OCTA in the diagnosis of choroidal melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular tumor in adults. Despite good primary tumor control, up to 50% of patients develop metastasis, which is lethal. UM often presents asymptomatically and is usually diagnosed by clinical examination and imaging, making it one of the few cancer types diagnosed without a biopsy. Hence, alternative diagnostic tools are needed. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has shown potential as a liquid biopsy target for cancer screening and monitoring. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and clinical utility of ctDNA detection in UM using specific UM gene mutations.
METHODS: We used the highly sensitive digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) assay to quantify UM driver mutations (GNAQ, GNA11, PLCβ4 and CYSTLR2) in cell-free DNA (cfDNA). cfDNA was analyzed in six well established human UM cell lines with known mutational status. cfDNA was analyzed in the blood and aqueous humor of an UM rabbit model and in the blood of patients. Rabbits were inoculated with human UM cells into the suprachoroidal space, and mutated ctDNA was quantified from longitudinal peripheral blood and aqueous humor draws. Blood clinical specimens were obtained from primary UM patients (n = 14), patients presenting with choroidal nevi (n = 16) and healthy individuals (n = 15).
RESULTS: The in vitro model validated the specificity and accuracy of ddPCR to detect mutated cfDNA from UM cell supernatant. In the rabbit model, plasma and aqueous humor levels of ctDNA correlated with tumor growth. Notably, the detection of ctDNA preceded clinical detection of the intraocular tumor. In human specimens, while we did not detect any trace of ctDNA in healthy controls, we detected ctDNA in all UM patients. We observed that UM patients had significantly higher levels of ctDNA than patients with nevi, with a strong correlation between ctDNA levels and malignancy. Noteworthy, in patients with nevi, the levels of ctDNA highly correlated with the presence of clinical risk factors.
CONCLUSIONS: We report, for the first time, compelling evidence from in vitro assays, and in vivo animal model and clinical specimens for the potential of mutated ctDNA as a biomarker of UM progression. These findings pave the way towards the implementation of a liquid biopsy to detect and monitor UM tumors.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a phacomatosis known to be associated with several developmental abnormalities in multiple organ systems including the eyes. NF1 can present with varying ophthalmic manifestations, including Lisch nodules, retinal astrocytic hamartomas, capillary hemangiomas, plexiform neurofibromas, and choroidal nodules. We present 2 cases of NF1 with presentations that may represent underreported retinal abnormalities occurring in NF1. Case 1 presents a patient who developed spontaneous peripheral retinal dialysis with subsequent retinal detachment; case 2 discusses a patient with multiple pigmented choroidal lesions bilaterally.

OBJECTIVE: To study the use of ultrasound color Doppler imaging and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography for identification of malignant vasculature of choroidal tumors.
METHODS: The study included 46 patients (46 eyes) with tumors of the choroid: 19 men and 26 women aged 22 to 89 years, average age 53.2±17.1 years. All patients underwent indocyanine green angiography and Doppler ultrasound imaging. At the time of examination, thickness of the tumors ranged from 1.1 mm to 3.0 mm, and the base diameter from 4.0 mm to 13.0 mm. Choroidal melanoma was diagnosed in 27 patients, choroidal nevus in 10, choroidal hemangioma in 5, and choroidal metastasis in 4 patients.
RESULTS: The results of indocyanine green angiography demonstrate that the pathological malignant vasculature was determined: nevi was diagnosed in 7 out of 10 patients, choroidal melanoma in 16 out of 27, metastasis in 2 out of 4, and hemangioma in none of the 5 patients. Pathological malignant vasculature was determined in most patients with choroidal melanoma (77.8%), in all patients with choroidal hemangioma and in 3 patients with choroidal metastases. Ultrasound imaging revealed malignant vasculature in 15 of 27 (56%) patients with choroidal melanoma, it could be identified in all patients with hemangioma in 2 patients and with choroidal metastases, and in none patients with choroidal nevi.
CONCLUSIONS: Indocyanine green angiography helps verify malignant vasculature in 77.8% of patients with small and medium sized choroidal melanomas. Angioarchitecture of choroidal tumors visualized with indocyanine green angiography is characterized by variability of patterns, which should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of various pathological diseases.
UNASSIGNED: На основе применения ангиографии с индоцианином зеленым и ультразвукового дуплексного сканирования с цветовым допплеровским картированием (ЦДК) — ультразвуковой допплерографии (УЗДГ) изучить возможности идентификации собственной сосудистой сети при новообразованиях хориоидеи.
UNASSIGNED: В исследование включены 46 пациентов (46 глаз) с новообразованиями хориоидеи: 19 мужчин и 27 женщин в возрасте от 22 до 89 лет, средний возраст — 53,2±17,1 года. Всем пациентам проводилось УЗДГ глазных яблок, а также ангиография с индоцианином зеленым. На момент обследования высота опухолей составляла от 1,1 до 3,0 мм, диаметр — от 4,0 до 13,0 мм. Диагноз меланомы хориоидеи установлен у 27 пациентов, невуса хориоидеи — у 10, гемангиомы хориоидеи — у 5, метастаза в хориоидею — у 4 больных.
UNASSIGNED: При проведении ангиографии с индоцианином зеленым выявление свечения собственных сосудов хориоидеи при невусах диагностировано у 7 из 10 пациентов, при меланоме — у 16 из 27, при метастазе — у 2 из 4, при гемангиоме — ни у одного из 5 больных. Собственная сеть опухоли диагностирована у большей части (77,8%) больных с меланомой и у всех пациентов с гемангиомой, а также у 3 пациентов с метастатическим поражением. При проведении УЗДГ при невусах хориоидеи кровоток не определялся, при меланоме хориоидеи кровоток определялся у 15 из 27 (56%) пациентов, при гемангиоме его идентификация имела место у всех пациентов, а при метастатическом поражении — у 2 больных.
UNASSIGNED: Ангиография с индоцианином зеленым позволяет диагностировать сосудистую сеть у 77,8% больных с меланомой хориоидеи малых и средних размеров. Ангиоархитектоника новообразований хориоидеи, визуализируемая при ангиографии с индоцианином зеленым, отличается вариабельностью паттернов, которые следует учитывать в дифференциальной диагностике различных патологических состояний.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the MOLES system for identifying malignancy in melanocytic choroidal tumors in patients treated for choroidal melanoma.
METHODS: Records of 615 patients treated for choroidal melanoma between January 2017 and December 2019 were reviewed. Patients were excluded if iris and/or ciliary body involvement (106 patients), inadequate fundus photography (26 patients), no images available for review (21 patients) and/or treatment was not primary (11 patients). Demographic data and AJCC TNM Stage were collected. Color fundus and autofluorescence photographs (FAF), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and B-scan ultrasounds were prospectively reviewed. MOLES scores were assigned according to five criteria: mushroom shape, orange pigment, large size, enlarging tumor and subretinal fluid.
RESULTS: A total of 451 patients (mean age, 63.9 ± 13.9 years) were included. At treatment, mean largest basal tumor diameter (LBD) and thickness were10.3 ± 2.8 mm (range, 3.0-23.0) and 4.3 mm (range, 1.0-17.0). All but one (0.2%) had MOLES scores of ≥3. Eighty-two patients were treated after surveillance lasting a mean of 1.5 years. Initially, most (63/82; 76.8%) had a MOLES score ≥ 3. Importantly, none of the 451 tumors had a score of <2, and as such, the MOLES protocol would have indicated referral to an ocular oncologist for 100% of patients.
CONCLUSIONS: The MOLES scoring system is a sensitive (99.8%) tool for indicating malignancy in melanocytic choroidal tumors (MOLES ≥ 3). If the examining practitioner can recognize the five features suggestive of malignancy, MOLES is a safe tool to optimize referral of melanocytic choroidal tumors for specialist care.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the prevalence of posterior segment eye lesions and to identify their ocular and systemic associations within the Gutenberg Health Study (GHS) in Germany.
METHODS: Assessment and grading of fundus images as well as physical examination and history taking were performed in the cross-sectional analysis of 15,010 subjects (aged 35-74 years) using standardised procedures to determine the prevalence and associations of various posterior segment eye lesions.
RESULTS: Fundus photographs of both eyes were available for 12,782 (85.2%; 50% female) subjects. The prevalence weighted to the region of Mainz and Mainz-Bingen in Germany was for choroidal nevi 2.4%, drusen of the optic nerve head 0.2%, tilted discs 1.5%, chorioretinal scars suggestive of toxoplasmosis 0.2%, retinitis pigmentosa 0.04% and persistent hyaloid artery 0.02%. Choroidal nevi were positively associated with a history of myocardial infarction (OR = 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.2-6.2, p value = 0.017). Tilted discs were positively associated with increased intraocular pressure (OR = 1.09 per mm Hg (1.02-1.16), p = 0.011) and negatively associated with smoking (OR 0.4 (0.3-0.7), p = 0.0022). Participants with tilted discs had a mean spherical equivalent of - 3.6 dioptres (standard deviation 4.0) compared with - 0.4 dioptres (2.4) to those without.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study is-to the best of our knowledge-the first to determine the prevalence of drusen of optic nerve head among Caucasians, to show a positive association between tilted discs and increased intraocular pressure and questions a possible link between choroidal nevi and myocardial infarction. It also showed that participants with tilted discs had a lower mean spherical equivalent than those without.

Choroidal nevi are common benign melanocytic lesions of the posterior uvea.