What is optic nerve melanocytoma?

Optic nerve melanocytoma is a benign variant of melanocytic nevus that is located within or adjacent to the optic nerve. Optic nerve melanocytomas are benign tumors but may cause vision loss and visual field defects. Rarely, these tumors may undergo malignant transformation.

What causes melanocytoma?

Doctors know that eye melanoma occurs when errors develop in the DNA of healthy eye cells. The DNA errors tell the cells to grow and multiply out of control, so the mutated cells go on living when they would normally die. The mutated cells accumulate in the eye and form an eye melanoma.

Who are most commonly affected by ocular nerve head Melanocytomas?

Race. An important difference between uveal melanoma and optic disk melanocytoma is that melanocytoma appears to have an equal incidence in all races, whereas uveal melanoma is uncommon in African Americans and Asians. [47] It is often stated that melanocytoma is more common in African Americans and Asians.

Are optic nerve tumors cancerous?

Optic nerve tumors are growths that occur on the optic nerve. The majority of these tumors are benign, but some are highly malignant and can be very dangerous if left untreated. You may experience progressive vision loss, most often in only one eye and starting with the peripheral vision.

What are the symptoms of optic nerve melanocytoma?

Symptoms. Optic nerve melanocytoma does not usually produce symptoms or grow. If they slowly grow, optic nerve melanocytoma can produce afferent pupillary defects (30%), subretinal fluid (10%), and an enlarged blind spot (75%). For example, if the tumor is next to the optic nerve, growth can compress the nerve and cause loss of vision (e.g.

Where does a melanocytoma occur in the body?

A melanocytoma (magnocellular nevus) is a benign pigmented tumor that may arise wherever uveal melanocytes are present. The most commonly observed site is on or adjacent to the optic nerve head. In the past this tumor was frequently misdiagnosed as a malignant melanoma and many unnecessary enucleati …

Can a melanocytoma occur in the iris of the eye?

Melanocytoma can occur in the iris. In the image seen below, this melanocytoma has a cobblestone textured surface and feathered margins. Interestingly, it is also causing a small amount of pupillary distortion (correctopia). Bits of iris melanocytoma can break off and settle in the inferior angle.

Are there any cases of optic disc melanocytoma?

Numerous case reports described the occurrence of a small, mildly elevated, pigmented lesion on the optic disc with peripapillary extension, for which eyes were enucleated because of concern about possible choroidal melanoma.