Faculty Bibliography

PURPOSE: To present giant conjunctival inclusion cysts as a late complication of strabismus surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective case series of selected patients. PARTICIPANTS: Four patients with a history of strabismus surgery who had developed giant conjunctival inclusion cysts. METHODS: A chart review was performed. The patient's ocular history, ophthalmic examinations, and imaging (ultrasound/ultrasound biomicroscopy and/or computed tomography) were recorded. Surgical excision with subsequent histopathologic correlation was obtained in 3 cases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and imaging characteristics with histopathologic correlation. RESULTS: Four patients with giant conjunctival inclusion cysts had a history of strabismus surgery. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed in 3 cases and revealed large, cystic, well-circumscribed tumors with low internal reflectivity and hyperechoic components. Computed tomography of the orbits was used to evaluate posterior extension. Their size induced limitation in motility, strabismus, and problems related to chronic exposure. Histopathologic evaluations were consistent with benign inclusion cysts of the conjunctiva. CONCLUSIONS: Giant conjunctival inclusion cysts may appear decades after strabismus surgery. Tumor size, cystic nature, and involvement of underlying structures can be determined by ultrasonography and radiographic imaging. Complete surgical removal can be curative

PURPOSE: To report on the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma by aqueous-cytology. METHODS: Four patients suspected to have intraocular lymphoma were evaluated by anterior chamber paracentesis with cytology (cytospin-technique). All had a history of non-ocular lymphoma and presented with at least one-plus anterior-chamber cells despite intensive glucocorticoid therapy. A 25-gauge needle was inserted through clear-cornea (bevel-up), over the iris stroma, as to drain the anterior chamber. The aqueous humor was sent for cytopathology (cytospin technique), culture and sensitivity. RESULTS: All procedures were diagnostic. Three were lymphoma and the fourth was culture-positive for propionibacterium endophthalmitis. No secondary glaucoma, hyphema, cataract or infections were related to anterior chamber paracentesis. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, anterior chamber aspiration cytology enhanced by the cytospin-technique was an effective, minimally invasive alternative to vitrectomy-based biopsy. This technique should be considered to rule in the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma in selected cases with cells in the anterior chamber

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate early insertion of ocular prostheses for aesthetic rehabilitation after enucleation and review current methods of enucleation surgery. METHODS: Twelve patients with large intraocular malignancies were treated by enucleation with implant. At the end of surgery, a medium-size conformer was inserted onto the closed conjunctival wound (just before applying a pressure dressing). The pressure dressing was removed 3 to 5 days after surgery. Immediately after bandage removal, the patients saw themselves in a mirror and were offered placement of a relatively small ocular prosthesis. Patients were asked if they preferred their aesthetic appearance with or without the prosthesis. RESULTS: Eight patients (67%) tolerated introduction of the prosthesis at the time of removal of their pressure dressing (3 to 5 days after enucleation surgery). Because of discomfort, 4 were able to receive their prostheses at their second postoperative visit (day 12 or 13). The manipulation at prosthesis insertion and subsequent wearing was found to have no effect on wound closure, final prosthetic fittings, or movement of the permanent prosthesis. All patients were pleased with the cosmetic benefit afforded by early introduction of the prosthesis and preferred their appearance to that of their eye with the conformer. CONCLUSIONS: Early replacement of the conformer by an ocular prosthesis allows for cosmetic rehabilitation and improved quality of life

PURPOSE: To describe a minimally invasive method to create a full-thickness surgical iridectomy. DESIGN: An interventional case series. METHODS: Surgical iridectomies were performed through a 1-mm clear corneal incision. The anterior chamber was prepared with acetylcholine chloride 10 mg/ml and sodium hyaluronate 1%. A 25-gauge aspiration-cutter 'probe' was introduced through the corneal incision such that the aspiration portal was occluded by the iris stroma. Then aspiration (600 mm/Hg) cutting (300 cpm) was used to create a surgical iridotomy in 2 cases. Then the probe was removed. RESULTS: Full-thickness iridotomies were created. None of the patients were noted to have a secondary increase in intraocular pressure, hyphema, infection, cataract or vision loss. The clear-corneal wounds were self-sealing. CONCLUSIONS: Small incision surgical iridectomy can be minimally invasive and effective. Use of a 25-gauge aspiration-cutting probe allowed for small incision surgery, rapid rehabilitation and no significant complications

BACKGROUND: To describe a case of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia following laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: This observational case report describes a 31-year-old man who underwent LASIK and presented 1 month later with a fleshy, conjunctival (plical) tumour in the left eye. An excisional biopsy of the tumour was performed. RESULTS: Histopathology of the excised tumour revealed reactive lymphoid hyperplasia involving the left conjunctiva. DISCUSSION: Conjunctival lymphomas can masquerade as chronic conjunctivitis and can be preceded by reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. It is important to identify and differentiate these tumours. This report describes the unusual occurrence of a lymphoid conjunctival tumour after LASIK eye surgery

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate a case of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia following laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: A 31-year-old man who underwent LASIK presented 1 month later with a fleshy conjunctival (plical) tumor in the left eye. An excision biopsy of the tumor was performed. RESULTS: Histopathology of the excised tumor revealed reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. DISCUSSION: Conjunctival lymphomas can masquerade as chronic conjunctivitis and can be preceded by reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. It is important to identify and differentiate these tumors. This report describes the unusual occurrence of a lymphoid conjunctival tumor after LASIK eye surgery

PURPOSE: To report the onset of bilateral angle closure glaucoma resulting from ciliochoroidal effusions noted after taking escitalopram. DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A 41-year-old woman with a medical history of depression was placed on escitalopram and presented with acute bilateral angle closure glaucoma. A medical history and ophthalmic examination (including slit-lamp photography and high-frequency ultrasonography) were performed at the time of diagnosis and at resolution of her symptoms. RESULTS: High-frequency ultrasonography revealed bilateral choroidal effusions with ciliary body detachments and angle closure. Attempts to reduce intraocular pressure with topical ocular antihypertensive drugs and subsequent laser peripheral iridotomy were unsuccessful. Over the course of four days, the use of topical cycloplegics, corticosteroids, and discontinuation of escitalopram resulted in normalization of intraocular pressures, deepening of anterior chamber depths, and resolution of her uveal effusions. CONCLUSIONS: The use of escitalopram resulted in uveal effusions, angle rotation, and acute bilateral angle closure glaucoma. Discontinuation of escitalopram and corticosteroid therapy resulted in normalization of the patient's eyes

PURPOSE: To describe a case of conjunctival malignant melanoma associated with pseudomelanomatous alteration of the apposing tarsal conjunctiva. METHODS: A 93-year-old woman presented with an elevated, pigmented mass on her superior bulbar conjunctiva. The tumor was associated with increased pigmentation of the apposing superior tarsal conjunctiva. An excisional biopsy of the epibulbar melanoma and pigmented tarsal conjunctiva was performed. RESULTS: Histopathologic evaluation of the epibulbar tumor revealed epithelioid melanocytes diagnostic of malignant melanoma. Histopathologic evaluation of the pigmented tarsal lesion showed large areas of ulceration and foci of granulation tissue composed of neovascular sprouts arising in the background of a loose connective tissue, with a moderate chronic inflammatory infiltrate. The infiltrate was composed of mature lymphocytes, plasma cells, and scattered histiocytes. Densely packed intracytoplasmic, brown pigment granules that stained positive with HMB 45 were found, attesting to adjacent melanocytes' releasing melanin-laden granules. There was no evidence of malignancy in the pigmented tarsal specimen. CONCLUSION: Noncontiguous pigmented conjunctival tumor can be found in apposition to an epibulbar melanoma. Although a limited biopsy could be considered, only a complete resection and histopathologic evaluation can determine whether the entire lesion is free of malignant melanoma