Recruiting 406 healthy subjects from a college population, researchers performed eye examinations, including Optos UWF retinal imaging, to determine the prevalence of choroidal nevi. Analysis of the optomap^® images revealed that 39 subjects (10%) presented with at least one nevus, with multiple nevi appearing unilaterally in eight subjects. The researchers concluded that the higher prevalence observed compared to other population-based studies resulted from their ability to image up to 200° of the fundus with the Optos system. The clinical significance of choroidal nevi is related to their rare potential to transform into malignant choroidal melanoma.

Source: Wiley Online Library; Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics

Gordon-Shaag A, Barnard S, Millodot M, et al. Prevalence of choroidal naevi using scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2014; 34: 94-101.