Diode laser transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in the treatment of refractory glaucoma with iris melanocytoma

Effectiveness of micropulse transscleral laser therapy in uncontrolled glaucoma secondary to ciliary body metastasis

Purpose

To report a case of ciliary body metastasis with uncontrolled glaucoma that was successfully treated with micropulse transscleral laser therapy (MPTLT).

Observations

A case of a 44-year-old female with uncontrolled glaucoma secondary to ciliary body metastasis from pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Antiglaucoma medications, intravitreal ranibizumab injection and local radiotherapy were ineffective in reducing her intraocular pressure (IOP) and ocular pain. MPTLT using a power setting of 2,000 mW, 31.3% duty cycle, and 140 seconds over 180 degrees demonstrated favorable IOP reduction (from 31 to 8 mmHg) on the first postoperative day without either ocular pain or postoperative complications. IOP remained controlled until she died from hemoperitoneum 18 days after hospital discharge.

Conclusions and importance

MPTLT can be a safe and effective procedure for IOP control in intraocular metastasis patients with uncontrolled glaucoma.

Glaucoma secondary to intraocular tumors: mechanisms and management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Glaucoma secondary to intraocular tumors is important to consider in eyes with a known tumor and those with unilateral or refractory glaucoma. The purpose of this review is to discuss the mechanisms and management of intraocular tumors with related secondary glaucoma.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several intraocular tumors can lead to glaucoma, including iris melanoma, iris metastasis, iris lymphoma, trabecular meshwork melanoma, choroidal melanoma, choroidal metastasis, retinoblastoma, and medulloepithelioma. The mechanisms for glaucoma include solid tumor invasion into the angle, tumor seeding into the angle, angle closure, and iris neovascularization. Management of the tumor can lead to resolution of glaucoma. Management of the secondary glaucoma may involve medical therapy, transscleral cyclophotocoagulation, laser trabeculoplasty, and potentially antivascular endothelial growth factor therapy. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) can be considered for eyes with treated, regressed posterior segment malignancies if there is no iris or ciliary body involvement. Importantly, avoidance of MIGS, filtering, or shunting surgery in eyes with active malignancies is emphasized.

SUMMARY

Intraocular tumors can produce secondary glaucoma. Treatment of the primary tumor can sometimes resolve the glaucoma. Topical, oral, or laser therapies can be considered. Avoidance of MIGS, filtering, or shunting surgery is advised until the malignancy is completely regressed.

Don't it make my blue eyes brown: heterochromia and other abnormalities of the iris

Eye colour is one of the most important characteristics in determining facial appearance. In this paper I shall discuss the anatomy and genetics of normal eye colour, together with a wide and diverse range of conditions that may produce an alteration in normal iris pigmentation or form.