Choroidal osteoma.

This review details the characteristic clinical features, diagnostic approaches, management, and prognosis of the choroidal osteoma. A comprehensive differential diagnosis is organized to help the ophthalmologist differentiate this tumor from conditions which can sometimes be clinically similar, such as amelanotic choroidal melanoma and nevus, metastatic choroidal carcinoma, choroidal hemangioma, metastatic and dystrophic intraocular calcification, and others. The pathology of the choroidal osteoma is illustrated and several theories of the pathogenesis of this tumor including the possibilities of a choristomatous, inflammatory, and hereditary etiology are discussed. The recently recommended therapeutic technique of photocoagulation of subretinal neovascularization associated with choroidal osteoma are discussed.