Familial iris melanosis--a misnomer?

SUMMARY Iris melanosis isanunusual condition characterised bythepresence ofminute, discrete, pigmented elevations arising fromtheanterior surface oftheiris. We encountered twounrelated Mexicanfamilies inwhichallchildren, butno parent, hadvarying degrees ofthecondition bilaterally. Somefamily membersalso gavefindings suggestive ofocular hypertension. Nofamily memberhadany other ocular or cutaneous pigmentary changes withtheexception ofahairy naevuson thethigh ofone member.Toourknowledge these arethefirst families reported with more than one memberhaving isolated iris melanosis. Thisisalsothefirst report ofapossible relationship withocular hypertension. Finally we suggest thattheterm'melanosis' may bea misnomer, sincethecondition ischaracterised notbyabnormal iris hyperpigmentation butby discrete, roundelevations on theanterior iris surface.