Iris melanocytoma and secondary glaucoma

Abstract

Iris melanocytoma (IM) is a rare variant of iris nevus with distinctive clinical and histopathological features. A 66-year-old woman, with a history of right eye pigmented iris nevus, presented to us with a recent onset of visual acuity decrease in that eye. She had a melanocytic iris lesion with iridocorneal angle invasion, peripheral corneal adhesion, pupil corectopia, sectorial cataract and high intraocular pressure. Ultrasound biomicroscopy did not exclude malignant transformation, so excisional biopsy was performed revealing the presence of IM without signs of atypia. Subsequently, the patient underwent cataract surgery combined with iridoplasty and later an ab externo trabeculectomy. Most cases of IM remain stable and require no intervention, but in cases of unusual clinical course, with rapid growth or secondary glaucoma, surgical treatment is indicated as a diagnostic and therapeutic measure. This case report highlights the importance of a timely and multidisciplinary ophthalmological approach for a better visual outcome.