Pathological Changes in Malignant Melanomas After Photocoagulation

Abstract

Since the development of the Zeiss light coagulator, the treatment of uveal malignant melanomas has been under evaluation. Meyer-Schwickerath has discussed and reported its use in many papers,^1-4 and other authors have reported their cases.^5-7 The efficacy the the treatment must ultimately depend upon the ability of light energy to destroy tumor cells in a predictable manner without secondary damage to the eye. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the pathological changes in choroidal melanomas after photocoagulation and to evaluate its present status in treatment of malignant melanomas of the choroid. Method Light energy of high intensity was applied with the Zeiss photocoagulator to portions of choroidal malignant melanomas in four human eyes prior to enucleation. The load setting ranged from green III to overload red III, and the duration of exposure ranged from one to three seconds. The eyes were removed 2, 6, 8, and