melanocytoma of the optic disk

[vannie72]

My son has had an eye condition since he was 3 years old he is now 17.  I am very concerned because we were told what it actually was 2 years ago (melanocytoma of the optic disk).  I have had to do a lot of research and found out it is a very rare condition and could become melignant a long with various of other problems. In all the research I have done it mentions he should have had continuous observations and serial colour fundus photography at every visit a long with other stuff. The thing is he has only ever had 1 photograph done and the Doctor does not actually know why he has no vision (no other tests done) apparently the melanocytoma is not in the way.

Please can someone help us we need to know more about this condition.  What can be done? How will they know if there has been any change (melignant melanoma etc) if they have no other records of his eye?  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Discuss your concerns and observations with the neuro-ophthalmologist. Also discuss wearing "safety glasses' and precautions to take in a individual (especially male) to protect the good eye from injury and disease.

JCH III MD

[vannie72]

Thanks John,

I would like to also add my son had a squint when he was born but I was not adviced to see a specialist until they did a test at 3 years old and found his vision in left eye was not good. We were made to believe it was because of this Melanocytoma of the Optic Disk until 2 years ago wen we saw a different practioner he seemed concerned of why my sons eye was useless too, he suggested a lazy eye. My son had a quint correction at 4 years old but as far as we know there has not been any further tests on his vision (how much he could see or why he could not see very well).

I have been told my son should have had continuous observations and serial colour fundus photography at every visit to monitor size and the rate of growth and to guard against malignant transformation and also other factors like acute vascular change, necreoisor a haemotoma even though rare should be kept in mind.

He had his first photograph in 2004 wen he was 14 years old.  In 2007 we were told by different Practioner he did not know why he was blind and back of eye seemed swallen from the 2004 photograph.  My son complaint of his eye hurting and headaches at that time.

Anyway thank you very much, I shall get my son to see a neoro-ophthalmologist.  If you have any other information please let me know.

Vannie72

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The thing that concerns me is your statement of "no vision".  Only one photo is necessary if the lesion does not grow.

See a neuro-ophthalmologist to determine why the vision is not normal. IMPORTANT. Find one at www.aao.org

JCH III MD