CUTANEOUS MELANOMA-ASSOCIATED RETINOPATHY

Purpose: To define further the syndrome of cutaneous melanoma-associat ed retinopathy, of which only five affected patients have been reporte d previously. Methods: Three men with melanoma-associated retinopathy were examined and studied electrophysiologically. Two were studied in detail psychophysically. Results: Visual symptoms consisted of flicker ing black and white spots, shimmering patches of colors, and night bli ndness. The onset was acute and nonprogressive. Reduced amplitudes wer e observed in the flash electroretinographic b-wave and the pattern el ectroretinogram. Color vision, contrast sensitivity, and light- and da rk-adapted perimetric sensitivities were abnormal. In one patient, the rate of dark adaptation was normal with elevated final cone and rod t hresholds. Conclusions: Melanoma-associated retinopathy is a paraneopl astic syndrome distinct from cancer-associated retinopathy with a diff erent visual prognosis. It may preferentially affect men.