EC Ophthalmology

Purpose: Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma is a relatively common malignant ocular neoplasm. Occasionally, this type of cancer extends completely through the underlying sclera or corneosclera and gains access to intraocular tissues (intraocular invasion). The purpose of this article is to remind eye care professionals of the typical settings in which this complication occurs, describe the spectrum of ocular physical examination features that should alert them to this potential problem, and emphasize the role ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) can play in confirming this diagnosis.

Methods: This study is a retrospective review of two cases of intraocular invasion by conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma. It also provides an overview of UBM features and physical examination findings suggestive of intraocular invasion by squamous cell carcinoma.

Results: The authors report two patients with intraocular invasion by conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma and present UBM images of these cases, demonstrating features suggestive of intraocular invasion, including sonoreflective tissue extending into uveal tissue and sheets of matted cells on anterior angle structures.

Conclusion: Attention to details of the clinical setting, identification of relevant ocular abnormalities during ophthalmic physical examination, and evaluation of UBM images of the affected eye are likely to lead to the correct clinical diagnosis in most cases.

 Keywords: Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Ultrasound Biomicroscopy (UBM); Intraocular Invasion; Conjunctiva

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