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Ocular Surface Oncology

Edited by: Prof Carol L. Karp and Prof Anat Galor

This is an exciting time in the evaluation and management of ocular surface tumors. In this special edition, many new updates are shared. A review of the pharmaco-therapy of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is presented, with a focus on topical treatments. The existing literature is evaluated and topical the use of 5-fluorouracil, interferon, and mitomycin is summarized. In addition, a paper on the use of high-resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-0CT) in detecting subclinical OSSSN is presented. The authors found that subclinical disease was present in almost 20% of patients. The clinician may think that the tumor is clinically resolved, but, microscopic disease might still persist. They found that extending treatment lowered the recurrence rates to zero.

In the special edition, close look at various aspects of conjunctival lymphoma is also shared. The classification diagnosis and management of lymphoma is updated including data on tradition external beam radiation, newer immunoradiotherapy, low dose radiotherapy, as well as chemotherapeutic management. Similarly, a review of the literature on benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (BRLH) of the conjunctiva was also performed evaluating the role of treatment and the possibility of future malignant conversion. In addition, a study on the use of HR-OCT and its ability to differentiate between conjunctival lymphoma, amyloidosis, and BRLH is presented. The authors were able to differentiate morphologically between lymphoma with monomorphic, dark infiltrates to that of amyloidosis which had heterogeneous hyper-reflective subepithelial deposits. HR-OCT may help to guide initial impression, biopsy location, and monitor for resolution.

While there is often great success in managing OSSN and conjunctival lymphoma, the more benign conjunctival papilloma still remains a rather stubborn benign lesion. An update and thorough approach to the management of conjunctiva papillomas is presented. This special tumor sections provides updates and new perspectives on OSSN, conjunctival lymphoma, papilloma, and BRLH.

This series was published in Eye and Vision.

  1. To report a case of bilateral benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (BRLH) of the conjunctiva treated with oral doxycycline and perform review of the literature evaluating the presentation, treatment and risk o...

    Authors: Olga Klavdianou, Georgios Kondylis, Vasileios Georgopoulos and Sotiria Palioura
    Citation: Eye and Vision 2019 6:26
    Content type: Case report Published on:

  2. To evaluate the frequency and characteristics of sub-clinical ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) detected by high-resolution anterior segment tomography (HR- OCT) in patients with clinically unapparent d...

    Authors: Ann Q. Tran, Nandini Venkateswaran, Anat Galor and Carol L. Karp
    Citation: Eye and Vision 2019 6:27
    Content type: Research Published on:

  3. The most frequently encountered non-pigmented tumor of the ocular surface is ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). Over the past two decades, the pharmacological management of OSSN has grown, with topical ...

    Authors: Ghada Al Bayyat, Dan Arreaza-Kaufman, Nandini Venkateswaran, Anat Galor and Carol L. Karp
    Citation: Eye and Vision 2019 6:24
    Content type: Review Published on:

  4. Lymphoma is a malignant lymphoproliferative tumor that can involve the conjunctiva. Approximately 5–15% of all extranodal lymphomas are found in the ocular adnexal region, with approximately 25% of those invol...

    Authors: Rebecca E. Tanenbaum, Anat Galor, Sander R. Dubovy and Carol L. Karp
    Citation: Eye and Vision 2019 6:22
    Content type: Review Published on:

  5. Conjunctival papilloma is an acquired benign squamous cell tumor that can present at any age, but most frequently in the third and fourth decades of life. Papillomas have been associated with human papilloma v...

    Authors: Despoina Theotoka, Melina I. Morkin, Anat Galor and Carol L. Karp
    Citation: Eye and Vision 2019 6:18
    Content type: Review Published on:

  6. Conjunctival lymphoma, conjunctival amyloidosis and benign reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (BRLH) are conditions that often have a similar appearance on the ocular surface. The use of high resolution anterior se...

    Authors: Nandini Venkateswaran, Carolina Mercado, Ann Q. Tran, Armando Garcia, Pedro Francisco Monsalve Diaz, Sander R. Dubovy, Anat Galor and Carol L. Karp
    Citation: Eye and Vision 2019 6:17
    Content type: Research Published on: