Management of Bilateral Diffuse Uveal Melanocytic Proliferation (BDUMP)—A Case Report

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This study reports a case of a 62-year-old patient experiencing a significant decline in vision over the past three months. The initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/20 in both eyes diminished to 20/200 in the right eye (RE) and counting fingers (CF) in the left eye (LE) within this timeframe. The patient was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer just one month before the significant vision deterioration. Materials and Methods: A thorough ophthalmologic examination revealed a notable progression of cataracts and the presence of subretinal fluid on the posterior pole, accompanied by choroidal thickening. The right eye exhibited multifocal, orange-pigmented, and elevated choroidal lesions, while the left eye’s fundus examination was impeded by dense cataracts. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed bilateral choroidal thickening with overlying folds and subretinal fluid, and ultrasound imaging of the choroidal lesions indicated moderate homogenous internal reflectivity. Results: The patient received a diagnosis of BDUMP (bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation), a paraneoplastic syndrome marked by simultaneous, bilateral, painless vision loss and the rapid onset of bilateral cataracts with serous retinal detachments. Despite cataract extraction, the expected visual recovery was not achieved (RE: CF; LE: 2/200, respectively). Plasmapheresis showed some success in stabilizing vision loss attributed to serous retinal detachments. Conclusions: BDUMP necessitates addressing the underlying malignancy for effective treatment. Left untreated, it can lead to near blindness within a year. The prognosis remains grim, with an average survival time ranging from 12 to 15.7 months from the time of diagnosis. Considering this case report, it is crucial to establish effective management plans and further investigate potential treatment methods and predictive markers centered around BDUMP. Collaboration between healthcare professionals and researchers is crucial in addressing the complexities of BDUMP, as the timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease remains a top priority.