Cutaneous melanoma-associated retinopathy.

PURPOSE

To define further the syndrome of cutaneous melanoma-associated retinopathy, of which only five affected patients have been reported previously.

METHODS

Three men with melanoma-associated retinopathy were examined and studied electrophysiologically. Two were studied in detail psychophysically.

RESULTS

Visual symptoms consisted of flickering black and white spots, shimmering patches of colors, and night blindness. The onset was acute and nonprogressive. Reduced amplitudes were observed in the flash electroretinographic b-wave and the pattern electroretinogram. Color vision, contrast sensitivity, and light- and dark-adapted perimetric sensitivities were abnormal. In one patient, the rate of dark adaptation was normal with elevated final cone and rod thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS

Melanoma-associated retinopathy is a paraneoplastic syndrome distinct from cancer-associated retinopathy with a different visual prognosis. It may preferentially affect men.