2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
6 Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Part II: Pediatric Ophthalmology
Chapter 20: External Diseases of the Eye
Other Conjunctival and Subconjunctival Disorders
Conjunctival Nevi
Conjunctival nevi are relatively common in childhood. Nevocellular nevi of the conjunctiva consist of nests or more diffuse infiltrations of benign melanocytes. Histologically, most of these nevi are compound (nevus cells found in both epithelium and substantia propria); others are junctional (nevus cells confined to the interface between epithelium and substantia propria). The lesions are occasionally noted at birth. More commonly, they develop during later childhood or adolescence. The lesions may be flat or elevated. Nevi are typically brown, but approximately one-third are nonpigmented and have a pinkish appearance (Fig 20-13). Removal may be indicated if significant growth occurs, although transformation to malignant melanoma is extremely rare in childhood.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.