Cavernous haemangioma of the iris in a leprosy patient

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.

Cavernous hemangioma of the iris in an infant

Iris hemangioma is a rare intraocular tumor which can present with spontaneous hyphema. Juvenile xanthogranuloma, malignant melanoma with proliferation of vessels or hemorrhages in the region of cystic degeneration, and inflammatory granulomas are frequently confused with the true hemangiomas. Some authors have even questioned the very existence of iris hemangioma. Clinical case reports of iris hemangiomas with histopathologic evidence and clinical course after surgery are uncommon. We could not find any reports of iris vascular tumors confirmed using immunohistochemical staining with vascular markers. We report a case of a cavernous hemangioma of the iris in a 3-month-old infant treated surgically, and the histopathological findings and immunohistochemical analysis with vascular markers (factor VIII and CD34) are also shown.

Anterior segment tumors: current concepts and innovations

The most common anterior segment tumors are primary neuroepithelial cysts, uveal melanomas, metastatic tumors, and benign tumors. In the majority of cases, the diagnosis can be made utilizing a careful clinical history and ocular examination. Ultrasound examination (low and high frequency) has become an indispensable tool used to determine tumor extension and involvement of the surrounding structures. In particular, high-frequency ultrasound has been used to uncover iris pigment epithelial cysts, to allow for the diagnosis of small ciliary body melanomas, and to measure tumors for plaque radiation planning. Whereas fluorescein angiography and computerized tomography have come to play a limited role, fine-needle aspiration biopsy has been found to be quite helpful in selected cases. Once the diagnosis is established, treatment decisions depend on the tumors' location, size, local extension, patterns of growth, and secondary complications. Most anterior segment tumors can be observed for growth prior to treatment. Other options include local resection (iridectomy, lamellar sclerouvectomy, or eye-wall resection) and radiation (ophthalmic plaque or external beam). Enucleation is typically employed if these eye- and vision-sparing treatments are not possible and for uncontrollable secondary glaucoma. This review examines the unique role of high-frequency ultrasonography for the diagnosis and treatment of anterior segment tumors as well as an overview of clinical practice.