ACUTE GLAUCOMA - 1ST MANIFESTATION OF A MALIGNANT-MELANOMA OF THE CHOROID

Most malignant melanomas of the choroid are discovered during a routin e examination of the fundus or following visual symptoms. More rarely, increased intraocular pressure or acute glaucoma represent the first signs of intraocular malignant melanoma. A 66-year-old female presente d with an unilateral acute closed angle glaucoma associated with rubeo sis iridis and total retinal detachment. Using ultrasonography, a chor oidal neoplasm was diagnosed. Histopathologic examination of the enucl eated globe confirmed the diagnosis of a necrotic malignant melanoma o f the choroid with subretinal hemorrhage. Every blind eye with opaque media requires ultrasonographic and, if enucleated, histopathologic ex amination.