Nevus of Ota

Introductory Statement In 1938 Ota presented under the somewhat cryptic title of "nevus fusco-caeruleus ophthalmo-maxillaris," an unusual syndrome consisting of a grayish-blue, macular discoloration affecting the sclera of an eye and the ipsilateral facial skin in the area of the distribution of the corresponding trigeminal nerve.38There are earlier reports4,35and later ones of the same condition recorded under different titles, e.g., congenital melanosis bulbi,4melanosis bulborum and aberrant Mongolian spots,9progressive melanosis oculi,25persistent aberrant Mongolian spots,6patchlike pigmentation,40oculodermal melanocytosis,15melanocytosis dermo-ocular,26and oculomuco-dermal melanocytosis.33All of these designations purport to convey something of color or location of the process. The term "fusco-caeruleus"*connotes a dark-dusky-slate-tan-brown-purple-sky-blue color. Location is suggested to be in and around an eye and adjacent areas of the face. By now several hundred cases of this condition have been reported in the world