CORNEOSCLERAL EPITHELIAL CYSTS - EVIDENCE OF DEVELOPMENTAL ETIOLOGY

Purpose. To describe the clinical features. histopathology, surgical m anagement and possible etiopathogenesis of corneoscleral epithelial cy sts, Methods. Three patients with corneoscleral epithelial cysts under went surgical ablation of the cysts. Material obtained during surgery was subjected to histopathologic analysis. Results. At last follow-up (mean, 6.3 months), none of the cysts had recurred. All patients had i mproved visual acuity. Histopathology revealed the occurrence of gland ular elements suggestive of lacrimal tissue in one of the cysts. Concl usion. The presence of ectopic lacrimal tissue suggests a developmenta l etiology for such cysts. Marsupialization of the scleral portion of the cyst and chemical ablation of the lining epithelium of the corneal cyst with 20% trichloroacetic acid appears to be a safe and effective technique in the surgical management of corneoscleral epithelial cyst s.