Choroidal and Retinal Tumors in Adults: Vascular Tumors of the Retina

C ataracts normally occur in the later decades of life, which is also at a time when there is higher incidence of ocular tumors. Before a patient undergoes cataract surgery, it is important that surgeons perform a complete eye examination that includes careful funduscopy. The surgeon must be able to distinguish ocular tumors from other lesions and, should a lesion be identified, send patients for proper evaluation before performing cataract surgery. There are masqueraders of tumors, and there are situations where metastases mimic other diseases. Metastases to the retina are rare. Vitreoretinal lymphoma is also a rare occurrence that should be considered in all cases of intermediate or posterior uveitis. Masqueraders for retinal tumors include inflammatory lesions such as granulomas. Choroidal tumors, choroidal hemorrhages, choroidal effusions, posterior scleritis, and choroidal granulomas must be considered in the differential diagnosis. In this first article of a four-part series on retinal and choroidal tumors, we describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment for four types of vascular tumors of the retina.