To evaluate the clinical features of compound nevus.

A retrospective chart review of the medical records for 32 eyes of 32 patients who were clinically diagnosed as having a compound nevus from February 2011 to February 2017 was performed.

The average follow-up period was 21.38 (range, 6–70) months for the 32 patients (9 males and 32 females), and the average age was 21 (range, 7–41) years old. The development or detection of a nevus varied between patients. There were no associated symptoms except for one patient who experienced foreign body sensation. An increase in size was noted in 5 cases (15%). The most common location in the conjunctiva was bulbar in 30 cases (93.8%), and the most common quadrant was temporal in 21 cases (65.6%) followed by nasal conjunctiva in 11 cases (34.4%). The most common locations of anterior margin and posterior margin were on the limbus (56%) and bulbar conjunctiva (92%), respectively. The mean horizontal length was 2.59 ± 1.9 mm and the mean vertical length was 2.62 ± 2.1 mm. All horizontal and vertical lengths were within 5 mm. An elevated nevus was observed in 25 cases (78.1%), and 18 cases (56.3%) had cystic lesions. The color of the nevi were largely brown (26 cases, 81.3%), and 29 cases (90.6%) had feeder vessels. Excisional biopsy and histologic exam were performed in 22 cases (68.8%). The purpose of the treatment was mostly cosmetic (20 cases, 93.8%) or for differential diagnosis with malignant melanoma (2 cases, 6.3%). In the surgery group, no one showed recurrence or any significant complications.

A conjunctival compound nevus is a benign conjunctival mass and can be found in all age groups. Compound nevus can be diagnosed with clinical features, and complete excision with histological exam is an appropriate treatment to differentiate from malignant melanoma.