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Orbital lymphaticovenous malformations consist of abnormal vascular channels lined by endothelial cells with a spectrum from venous to lymphatic characteristics. They may be venous-dominant or lymphatic-dominant. These lesions continue to present management challenges. Total excision or obliteration is not always achievable, recrudescence is common, and interventions carry a risk of damaging normal structures. Patients likely benefit most from a multidisciplinary approach, including both surgical and nonsurgical (e.g., sclerosants and liquid polymers) therapeutic modalities. Targeted biologic therapy would be ideal; nevertheless, this goal is complicated by the heterogeneous venous-lymphatic and stromal characteristics of these lesions. Ideally, antiangiogenic agents targeting both lymphatic and blood vascular endothelial cells will be developed to treat these lesions and reduce their regrowth. Further studies are warranted to enhance our understanding of these orbital lesions with regard to their angiogenic (proliferative) activities and profiles of marker expression, with a goal to produce effective medical therapies., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To report the presenting features and clinical outcomes of a series of patients with noninfectious inflammation after intravitreal aflibercept injection., Design: Noncomparative consecutive case series., Methods: Medical records of patients who presented with noninfectious inflammation after intravitreal aflibercept injection between November 18, 2011 and June 30, 2013 were retrospectively reviewed., Results: A total of 20 cases of postinjection inflammation were identified in 5356 aflibercept injections. The patients presented 1-13 days after aflibercept injection (median 3 days); all noted decreased vision, while 3 of 20 (15%) had pain and 2 of 20 (10%) had conjunctival injection. One patient had a hypopyon (0.5 mm), and the average anterior chamber cell was 1.8+ (range 0 to 4+). All eyes had some degree of vitritis (average 1.8+; range 0.5+ to 4+). Patients on average had received 6 prior aflibercept injections (range 0-16). Only 1 patient-the first to present with inflammation in this series-received an intravitreal tap (culture negative) and injection of antibiotics. All patients were managed with frequent topical steroids and were followed closely for signs of improvement. All but 1 patient regained their preinjection visual acuity (average: 33 days; range: 7-73 days). Four patients were subsequently rechallenged with aflibercept, and 1 developed inflammation again after 5 additional aflibercept injections. The overall incidence of inflammation after intravitreal aflibercept injection was 20 of 5356 injections (0.37%) or 19 of 844 patients (2.25%). However, a disproportionate number of cases clustered around 1 provider (17/20, 85%; P < .001 vs all other providers) and around the 2 office locations where this physician primarily worked (16/20, 75%; P < .001 vs 5 other offices)., Conclusions: Noninfectious inflammation after intravitreal aflibercept injection typically presents without pain, conjunctival injection, or hypopyon, and responds to topical steroid therapy. The visual outcomes are generally favorable, though the return to baseline acuity can take many weeks., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To report a series of patients with Streptococcus endophthalmitis after injection with intravitreal bevacizumab prepared by the same compounding pharmacy., Design: Noncomparative consecutive case series., Methods: Medical records and microbiology results of patients who presented with endophthalmitis after injection with intravitreal bevacizumab between July 5 and July 8, 2011, were reviewed., Results: Twelve patients were identified with endophthalmitis, presenting 1 to 6 days after receiving an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab. The injections occurred at 4 different locations in south Florida. All patients received bevacizumab prepared by the same compounding pharmacy. None of the infections originated at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, although 9 patients presented to its tertiary-care ophthalmic emergency room for treatment, and 3 additional patients were seen in consultation. All patients were treated initially with a vitreous tap and injection; 8 patients subsequently received a vitrectomy. Microbiology cultures for 10 patients were positive for Streptococcus mitis/oralis. Seven unused syringes of bevacizumab prepared by the compounding pharmacy at the same time as those prepared for the affected patients also were positive for S. mitis/oralis. After 4 months of follow-up, all but 1 patient had count fingers or worse visual acuity, and 3 required evisceration or enucleation. Local, state, and federal health department officials have been investigating the source of the contamination., Conclusions: In this outbreak of endophthalmitis after intravitreal bevacizumab injection, Streptococcus mitis/oralis was cultured from the majority of patients and from all unused syringes. Visual outcomes were generally poor. The most likely cause of this outbreak was contamination during syringe preparation by the compounding pharmacy., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To critically review the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy., Design: A perspective of clinical and basic science studies related to traumatic optic neuropathy and its treatment., Methods: Published clinical and basic science studies on traumatic optic neuropathy were critically reviewed and interpreted., Results: Clinical progress in the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy is limited by small clinical studies lacking appropriate control groups. The Corticosteroid Randomization for Acute Head Trauma (CRASH) trial found an increased rate of death among patients with acute head trauma treated with high-dose corticosteroids compared to placebo-treated patients (21% vs 18%, P = .0001). Recent animal studies also suggest that high-dose corticosteroids are toxic to the injured optic nerve., Conclusions: The Corticosteroid Randomization for Acute Head Trauma study is immediately relevant to the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy as individuals with traumatic optic neuropathy often have concomitant head trauma. High-dose corticosteroids for traumatic optic neuropathy will result in a measurable loss of life in patients who also have a brain injury. Death has never been an endpoint for traumatic optic neuropathy studies. Given human and animal data suggesting that treatment is harmful and the lack of demonstrated clinical efficacy, corticosteroids should not be used to treat traumatic optic neuropathy. The benefit of optic canal decompression is also unclear. There is a need to identify traumatic optic neuropathy soon after injury to further define the natural history of this injury. This information will provide a basis for assessing potential future treatments for traumatic optic neuropathy., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Graves disease represents a systemic autoimmune process targeting the thyroid, orbit, and pretibial skin. The thyroid dysfunction is treatable, but no consistently effective medical therapy has yet been described for the orbital manifestations of Graves disease, also known as thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy or thyroid eye disease. Several autoantigens are potentially relevant to the pathogenesis of thyroid eye disease. Activating antibodies generated against the thyrotropin receptor can be detected in a majority of patients, and these drive hyperthyroidism. However, stimulating antibodies against the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) may also play a role in the extra-thyroid manifestations of Graves disease. IGF-1R is overexpressed by orbital fibroblasts derived from patients with thyroid eye disease, whereas IGF-1R(+) T and IGF-1R(+) B cells are considerably more frequent in Graves disease. Actions of several cytokines and the molecular interplay peculiar to the orbit appear to provoke the inflammation, fat expansion, and deposition of excessive extracellular matrix molecules in thyroid eye disease. Based upon these new insights, several therapeutic strategies can now be proposed that, for the first time, might specifically interrupt its pathogenesis.

Orbital compartment syndrome is an uncommon, ophthalmic surgical emergency characterized by an acute rise in orbital pressure. When intraorbital tension rises, damage to ocular and other intraorbital structures, including irreversible blindness, may occur if not promptly treated. The diagnosis of orbital compartment syndrome is completely clinical and early recognition and emergent orbital decompression (even prior to imaging) is essential in preventing permanent vision loss. Lateral canthotomy and inferior cantholysis remain the mainstays of management. More extensive incision of the orbital septum and orbital bony decompression may be necessary in unresponsive cases. This review discusses the various etiologies and mechanisms resulting in orbital compartment syndrome, clinical features, imaging findings, treatment, and prognosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of sodium morrhuate 5% injections in patients with low flow vascular lesions, which consist of orbital lymphangiomas, and in one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma., Design: Prospective, interventional consecutive case series., Methods: Intralesional sodium morrhuate 5% was injected under direct visualization or under radiographic guidance to six patients with orbital lymphangiomas and one patient with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Comprehensive eye examination and follow-up imaging studies were performed. main outcome measures: Lesion size was evaluated by orbital imaging and clinical examination, visual acuity, exophthalmos, and posttreatment complications., Results: Seven patients (four female, three male; average age, 33 years) were included. Six patients were diagnosed with orbital lymphangioma, and one patient was diagnosed with intraosseous cavernous hemangioma. Patients received an average of 2.6+/-2 intralesional injections of sodium morrhuate, with a range of one to six injections and a mean volume of 0.9+/-0.8 ml (range, 0.2 to 2.1 ml). Lesions showed a decrease in size an average of 50% (33%) and ranged from minimal (10%) to near total resolution (85%). Visual acuity and intraocular pressure remained unchanged; exophthalmos decreased an average of 1.5+/-1.8 mm. Complications included one case of orbital hemorrhage that resolved spontaneously and transient keratopathy in all patients with anterior orbital lesions., Conclusion: Intralesional sclerosing therapy with sodium morrhuate 5% is effective in tumor debulking in patients with orbital lymphangioma and is not associated with vision-threatening complications. It may be a better alternative to surgery for low flow orbital tumors, which includes lymphangioma.

Purpose: To compare two sling designs (single loop or double pentagon) and a variety of suture material that was used in frontalis suspension surgery for correction of upper eyelid ptosis., Design: Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative interventional case series., Methods: Medical record review of 99 patients (164 surgeries) who underwent frontalis suspension surgery for upper eyelid ptosis was conducted at the Jules Stein Eye Institute in 1996 to 2002. Functional and cosmetic success, margin reflex distance (MRD) and lagophthalmos were evaluated., Results: MRD increased an average of 1.1 mm after the operation (P < .001). Ptosis recurrence was noticed in 42 cases (26%); polytetrafluoroethylene achieved the lowest recurrence rate (15%), although not statistically significant. No difference in functional success, ptosis recurrence, or change in MRD was noticed between single loop and double pentagon design. A better cosmetic outcome was noted in cases in which nylon suture was used. Complications included four cases (2.4%) of over-correction, three cases (1.8%) of suture infection (all in polytetrafluoroethylene), two cases of pyogenic granuloma (1.2%), and two cases (1.2%) of suture exposure., Conclusion: Frontalis suspension for upper eyelid ptosis resulted in 26% ptosis recurrence after a mean of 12 months from first surgery. Polytetrafluoroethylene showed the lowest incidence of ptosis recurrence. No statistically significant difference was found between different suture materials or loop shape that was used in the surgical technique. A better cosmetic outcome, as graded by different observers, was noted in cases in which a nylon sling was used.

Purpose: To compare external levator advancement and Müller's muscle-conjunctival resection (conjunctivomullerectomy, or CJM) for correction of upper eyelid involutional ptosis., Design: Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative interventional case series., Methods: Review of medical records of 159 patients (272 surgical procedures) who underwent external levator advancement or CJM was performed., Main Outcome Measures: Functional and cosmetic outcome, marginal reflex distance one (MRD1), and surgical complications., Results: A total of 159 patients (51 men, 108 women, mean age 70 years) underwent 272 surgical procedures for upper eyelid ptosis; concurrent blepharoplasty was performed in 141 cases. MRD1 increased an average of 1.6 (+/-1.5) mm, from 0.8 mm (+/-1.2) preoperatively to 2.3 mm (+/-1.2) postoperatively (P < .001). Fifteen patients (5.5%) underwent reoperation for residual ptosis, nine (18%) in the external levator advancement group, two (3%) in the CJM group, three (8%) in the external plus blepharoplasty group, and one (1%) in the CJM plus blepharoplasty group (P < .001). Patients who underwent external levator advancement had significantly more severe ptosis preoperatively but attained similar eyelid position postoperatively as compared with CJM patients. Complications included overcorrection in four cases (1.4%), lagophthalmos of 1 mm in 10 (3.6%), and pyogenic granuloma in two (<1%)., Conclusions: External levator advancement and CJM performed alone or with concurrent blepharoplasty are effective treatments for upper eyelid ptosis. Residual ptosis or postoperative eyelid retraction occurs in up to 20% of cases and can be addressed successfully with a second operation.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of transconjunctival Müller muscle recession and graded levator disinsertion for eyelid retraction in patients with thyroid-related orbitopathy (TRO)., Design: Retrospective consecutive case series., Methods: Medical record review of 78 TRO patients (107 eyelids) who underwent surgery for upper eyelid retraction in a 5-year period was performed. Main outcome measures were anatomic and functional success, minimal reflex distance (MRD), lagophthalmos, eyelid asymmetry, and patient discomfort., Results: One hundred seven eyelid retraction surgeries were performed on 78 TRO patients (63 women, mean age 49 years); mean follow-up time was 16.7 months. Upper eyelid position, lagophthalmos, exposure keratopathy, and patients' discomfort markedly improved after surgery (P < .001). Marginal reflex distance (MRD1) decreased an average of 2.6 mm from 6 mm pre-operatively to 3.4 mm post-operatively (P < .001); lagophthalmos decreased an average of 0.6 mm from 1.3 mm pre-operatively to 0.4 mm post-operatively (P = .006) Failure rate was 8.4%, most improved with a second surgery. Overcorrection was noticed in three cases (2.8%). Eyelid asymmetry improved from a mean of 1.0 mm pre-operatively to 0.4 mm post-operatively (P = .001); more than 80% of patients showed eyelid asymmetry of 1 mm or less., Conclusion: Transconjunctival Müller muscle and levator recession is safe and effective in correction of mild, moderate, or severe eyelid retraction in TRO patients. The failure rate is less than 10% and may be addressed by a second surgery.

Purpose: To compare surgical outcomes of internal (transconjunctival) vs external (subciliary) involutional entropion repair., Design: Retrospective, consecutive case series., Methods: Electronic medical record review of all patients who underwent involutional entropion repair at the Jules Stein Eye Institute over a 4-year period was performed., Main Outcome Measures: Anatomic and functional success, recurrence rate, and complications., Results: Forty-nine eyes (39 patients) were operated. Twenty-nine eyes underwent subciliary incision repair; 20 eyes underwent transconjunctival repair, both with lower lid retractors reinsertion. Good correlation was found between two masked observers in grading surgical outcome (on a scale of 1 to 4) (r = .76, P < .001). Forty-two cases (84%) achieved good surgical repair and improvement in symptoms. Recurrence was noticed in 4 eyes (8.2%). Recurrence was higher with the internal approach (15% vs 3% with subciliary incision), but this was not statistically significant (P = .14). Complications included: three cases (8.2%) with mild eyelid retraction that were treated conservatively, three cases with postoperative ectropion (all in the external approach, two of which lateral canthal resuspension was not performed), and two cases (4.1%, one case in each group) with pyogenic granuloma., Conclusions: Surgical correction of involutional entropion by reinsertion of lower eyelid retractors has similar outcome with internal (transconjunctival) and external (subcilliary) approaches. Although not statistically significant, internal repair may result in a higher recurrence rate, whereas external repair may show more postoperative ectropion, most probably attributable to scarring of the anterior lamella. Lateral canthal resuspension, when needed, may reduce the rate of postoperative ectropion.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical indications for orbital exenteration in a tertiary referral center and to compare clinicopathologic correlation and cosmetic outcome with previously reported data., Design: Retrospective, nonrandomized, consecutive case series., Methods: Review of Electronic Medical Record system, Orbital Clinic, Jules Stein Eye Institute, between January 1999 and December 2003. main outcome measures: Surgery type, clear margins histologically, survival, and wearing an eye patch., Results: Thirty-four patients (mean age 67 years) underwent orbital exenteration; mean follow-up 1.2 +/- 1.5 years (6 months to 6 years). Diagnosis included orbital, ocular, and adnexal malignancies, with squamous and basal cell carcinoma being the most common. Twenty-one patients (62%) underwent total or extended orbital exenteration, and 13 patients (38%) underwent subtotal exenteration including tissue reconstruction. Clear surgical margins were obtained in 23 cases (68%), whereas positive margins were left in 11 cases (32%). Many of the patients preferred an eye patch to cover the surgical region regardless of surgical reconstruction. Only 4 patients (11.8%) who underwent subtotal exenteration with orbital prosthesis did not use a patch. During follow-up period 3 patients expired, only 1 of which was tumor-related., Conclusions: Clinical indications for orbital exenteration remain similar over the last four decades with a higher prevalence of squamous cell carcinoma in our institute. Orbital exenteration is considered curative in cases of basal or squamous cell carcinoma but not in cases of malignant infiltrative processes such as adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Patients are likely to wear an eye patch regardless of any attempt at surgical reconstruction.

Purpose: To evaluate the configuration of extraocular muscle and tendon enlargement in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO)., Design: Retrospective, noncomparative case series., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the preoperative computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or both, of 125 consecutive patients with previously diagnosed TAO. Axial CT (n = 88) or MRI (n = 37) slices of the orbits were examined for tendon involvement of enlarged medial or lateral recti muscles. A ratio of tendon to muscle width greater than 0.5 was considered as tendon involvement., Results: Eight patients (6.4%) with TAO demonstrated tendon involvement on axial CT or MRI. These patients had significantly greater diplopia in primary gaze than patients with no tendon involvement or patients with no muscle enlargement., Conclusion: The configuration of extraocular muscle enlargement on imaging studies has traditionally been used to differentiate TAO from other inflammatory processes because the tendon is typically spared (fusiform configuration) in TAO. However, we found that the configuration of tendon involvement (cylindrical configuration) can occasionally be noted in TAO and may be more frequently associated with primary gaze diplopia. Tendon involvement does not eliminate the diagnostic possibility of TAO.

Purpose: To report a case of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection with signs of early necrotizing fasciitis after cosmetic blepharoplasty in a healthy patient., Design: Interventional case report., Methods: A healthy 59-year-old woman underwent outpatient bilateral upper and lower blepharoplasty with midface lifting. Thirty hours postoperatively she developed marked pain and edema of the left eyelids and face, and a violaceous eyelid bulla, which heralded early necrotizing fasciitis. Culture of the serosanguinous exudates from the left eyelid revealed group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus organisms., Results: The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics, intravenous corticosteroids, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and wound debridement. The infection resolved with mild cicatrization of the left upper eyelid., Conclusions: Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus is an increasingly recognized cause of infection that occurs after trauma or surgery, even in highly vascularized areas such as the eyelids and face. It is a potentially devastating infection, particularly in vascularly compromised patients, and requires immediate and aggressive treatment.

Purpose: To report the location of the inferior oblique muscle after enucleation without primary attachment of the muscle to the orbital implant and after evisceration., Methods: Interventional case series. Retrospectively, eight orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were analyzed, four after enucleation and four after evisceration, to assess the position of the inferior oblique muscle relative to the orbital implant and the point of insertion., Results: In the enucleation patients, the inferior oblique muscle was anteriorly displaced and the muscle appeared to insert into an inferior subconjunctival scar mass in three of the four patients. In all four of the evisceration patients, the inferior oblique muscle appeared normally positioned and inserted onto the implant in the normal location., Conclusion: Enucleation without suturing of the inferior oblique muscle to the implant is associated with healing in an abnormal anterior location and into an inferior subconjunctival scar mass. Evisceration does not appear to disrupt the normal position or insertion of the inferior oblique muscle.

Purpose: To report a case of unilateral blindness after ipsilateral prophylactic transcranial optic canal decompression for fibrous dysplasia., Methods: Case report. A 37-year-old woman with fibrous dysplasia underwent a prophylactic left optic canal decompression. Preoperatively, the left eye had a visual acuity of 20/20., Results: Four days after apparently uncomplicated left optic canal decompression, the left eye lost all light perception. Blindness in the left eye persisted despite surgical exploration and transcranial optic nerve sheath fenestration., Conclusion: Although prophylactic optic canal decompression warrants consideration in selected patients with fibrous dysplasia, notable risks are associated with this surgery.

Knowledge concerning the pathophysiologic mechanisms of traumatic optic neuropathy is limited. The optic nerve is a tract of the brain. Therefore, the cellular and biochemical pathophysiology of brain and spinal cord trauma and ischemia provide insight into mechanisms that may operate in traumatic optic neuropathy. The dosage of methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg/6 hours) which was successful in the National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study 2 (NASCIS 2) evolved from the unique pharmacology of corticosteroids as antioxidants. The management of traumatic optic neuropathy rests on an accurate diagnosis which begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment and appropriate neuroimaging. The results of medical and surgical strategies for treating this injury have not been demonstrated to be better than those achieved without treatment. The spinal cord is a mixed grey and white matter tract of the brain in contrast to the optic nerve which is a pure white matter tract. The treatment success seen with methylprednisolone in the NASCIS 2 study may not generalize to the treatment of traumatic optic neuropathy. Conversely, if the treatment does generalize to the optic nerve, NASCIS 2 data suggests that treatment must be started within eight hours of injury, making traumatic optic neuropathy one of the true ophthalmic emergencies. Given the uncertainties in the treatment, ophthalmologists involved in the management of traumatic optic neuropathy are encouraged to participate in the collaborative study of traumatic optic neuropathy.

We examined three patients with arteriovenous malformation of the orbit. At initial examination, all patients had a slowly progressive mass effect combined with congestive symptoms and clinical signs typical of an orbital vascular lesion. Arteriovenous malformation of the orbit was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and radiographic assessment, including the use of digital subtraction angiography and in one patient, magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment of each patient involved neuroradiologic embolization of the vascular lesion followed by surgical excision. Transient complications of endovascular management occurred. In one patient particulate emboli migrated into the central retinal artery after postembolization orbital surgical excision; consequent focal ischemic retinopathy contributed to short-term visual field deficits, which eventually resolved spontaneously. In another patient, spasm of the ophthalmic artery occurred during embolization, resulting in a transient afferent pupillary defect and loss in visual acuity to 20/60, which resolved over the subsequent week. High-flow orbital vascular lesions represent a considerable treatment challenge because of the complex anatomic and hemorrhagic characteristics of the malformation. Neuroradiologic characterization and embolization as a preoperative adjuvant is not without risk but offers an important advantage in the treatment of these formidable lesions. A combination of endovascular and surgical management may allow otherwise inoperable lesions to be treated successfully.

A 1:100 solution of 48% gadopentolate in liquid tear solution was used in magnetic resonance dacryocystography to image the canaliculi, nasolacrimal sac, and nasolacrimal duct. It was administered as an eyedrop, one drop every minute for five minutes, immediately before scanning in six normal and five abnormal nasolacrimal outflow systems. In cases of nasolacrimal obstruction, the dilute gadolinium solution was injected through the canaliculus immediately before scanning. A three-inch surface coil enhanced the detail of soft-tissue structures such as the canaliculi and lacrimal sac. In the evaluation of complex tearing disorders such as congenital, neoplastic, postsurgical, and posttraumatic nasolacrimal obstruction, gadolinium lacrimal contrast adds useful information to magnetic resonance images of the lacrimal outflow system. Because of the expense of the test, we do not recommend it as a routine examination.

An 8-year-old girl had an orbital-adnexal lymphangioma and ipsilateral orbital and middle cranial fossa arteriovenous malformations. High-resolution magnetic resonance image scanning, orbital ultrasonography, and digital subtraction angiography were used for diagnosis and preoperative assessment. Complications related to this vascular neoplasm included amblyopia, acute hemorrhage with proptosis, exposure keratitis, cosmetic deformity, and recurrent preseptal cellulitis. The girl was treated with both embolization and orbital surgery for recurrent hemorrhage and proptosis. We postulated that the coexistence of a lymphangioma and arteriovenous malformation represents an unusual and extensive maldevelopment of vascular embryogenesis.

Clinical characteristics of tumors metastatic to the orbit are related to primary tumor biology, and vary substantially among the various primary types. Common known primary sites include breast, lung, prostate, and melanoma. Tumor presentations can be classified into four generalized syndromes of mass, infiltrative, inflammatory, and functional effects. We found the infiltrative syndrome of presentation to be more common than for other types of orbital neoplasm. Accurate diagnosis often depends on recognition of the types of clinical syndromes and on the use of diagnostic modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, fine needle aspiration biopsy, and open biopsy. Special histologic techniques are often useful in determining the origin of these often poorly differentiated tumors, and can provide a basis for specific hormonal therapy. Ophthalmologists play a vital role in the diagnosis of metastatic cancer; the orbital tumor was the presenting sign of systemic cancer in 42% of the cases reviewed. Although the overall prognosis for patients with metastatic cancer is quite poor, specific therapy is available for a growing number of cancers. Timely intervention based on accurate diagnosis can dramatically improve the duration and quality of life with selected tumors.