Oculocerebral non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with uveal involvement - Development of an epibulbar tumor after vitrectomy

Primary ocular lymphoma is the ocular manifestation of primary oculocerebra l non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We describe a 79-year-old woman with a 7-year his tory of bilateral uveitis and subsequent central nervous system lymphomas. Repeated diagnostic vitrectomy during the following 5 years failed to demon strate intraocular lymphoma cells. Within 9 months after the second vitrect omy, an epibulbar tumor developed in the limbal region of the left eye at t he site of the sclerotomy. The eye, blind and painful due to secondary angl e-closure glaucoma, was enucleated. Histopathologically, the globe showed a diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma extending from the ciliary bod y outward through the sclerotomy. We conclude that, following vitrectomy, a primary ocular lymphoma may extend through the sclerotomy lesion and prese nt as an epibulbar tumor. Uveal involvement may occur in oculocerebral non- Hodgkin's lymphoma.