U-shaped retinal tear. Associated with a presumed malignant melanoma of the choroid.

The purpose of this paper is to report a case of presumed malignant melanoma of the choroid associated wvith an overlying U-shaped tear. This type of retinal hole is commonly tound iri association with a simple retinial detachment and is thought to be caused by vitreous traction on the retina at the point of the tear. This kind of tear has not been reported previously in connexion with a malignant melanoma of the choroid, although other types of retinal holes have been described in association with a malignant melanoma. This is the first case of any retinal hole photographed in vivo in the presence of a malignant melanoma. Lister (1924) was able to state that the presence of a retinal hole in an eye with a retinal detachment precluded the presence of a malignant melanoma. This was supported by Duke-Elder (1940), but later Duke-Elder (I967) stated that a few cases of malignant melanoma with a hole in the same eye had been reported. Berson, Bigger, and Smith (I967) reviewed the literature and found thirteen cases and added another of his own; in no single instance was a U-slhaped (traction) tear reported.