Choroidal perfusion in eyes with untreated choroidal melanoma.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies indicate that ocular blood flow is altered in eyes with choroidal melanoma. In the present study pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) was assessed to investigate whether there exists a correlation between tumour size and ocular blood flow parameters.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients with unilateral untreated choroidal melanoma were studied using two measurement techniques: POBF was measured with a pneumotonometer and local foveal fundus pulsation amplitude (FPA) by laser interferometry, and results were correlated. Tumour volume was calculated using the ellipsoidal solid model and was correlated to POBF and FPA.


RESULTS
Levels of POBF and FPAs tended to be higher in tumour eyes compared with unaffected eyes, but the differences did not reach the level of significance. Both methods showed a high degree of correlation in unaffected eyes. In tumour eyes the correlation was slightly less pronounced. There was no correlation between tumour and POBF or FPA.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results do not indicate choroidal hyperperfusion in patients with choroidal melanoma. The clinical usefulness of measuring POBF in tumour patients may be limited.
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Hemma
H
Resch
Gerhard
G
Garhöfer
Leopold
L
Schmetterer
Martin
M
Zehetmayer
Guido T
GT
Dorner
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002829:Choroid / Q000502:physiology*; D002830:Choroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009884:Ophthalmodynamometry; D011673:Pulsatile Flow; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular