Cornea & external disease · practice question
Which two ipsilateral complications is surveillance chiefly aimed at?
[READINESS SEED] A patient with ocular melanocytosis is counseled about lifelong risks and enrolled in surveillance. Which two ipsilateral complications is surveillance chiefly aimed at?
Show the answer and explanationAnswer and explanation
Answer: A. Uveal melanoma and glaucoma
The excess dermal melanocytes of ocular melanocytosis raise the lifetime risk of ipsilateral uveal melanoma and of glaucoma (often from trabecular pigmentation/raised episcleral venous pressure). Surveillance targets these two, with periodic dilated fundus examination and pressure checks.
Clinical pearl: The melanoma risk applies to the uvea, orbit, and meninges on the affected side — the deep melanocytes track the neural-crest distribution.