Retinal pigment epithelial hyperplasia assuming tumor-like proportions. Report of two cases.

Two patients who had highly elevated pigmented masses associated with a chorioretinal scar were observed clinically for several years. The scar was due to presumed histoplasmosis in one patient and toxoplasmosis in the other. Histopathological examination disclosed choroidal and subretinal masses consisting of hyperplastic retinal pigment epithelium. The difficulty in making the diagnosis of RPE hyperplasia in such instances is discussed.

A personal sketch of Frank Burton Walsh.

The author shares his memories of a 48-year friendship with Frank B. Walsh, known as the Father of American neuro-ophthalmology. Personal anecdotes reveal Walsh as a man of kindness, sensitivity and unusual humor, and they document the origins of such lesser known neuro-ophthalmic terms as "Walsh's sign of mad" and "the belly button nystagmus of Walsh."

Orbital exenteration--simplified.

In summary, a simplified technique of orbital exenteration has been presented. Results, with complications, in eleven cases have been described. The advantages of the operative method described are: (1) full thickness skin provides better cushion for self-retaining prosthesis, (2) skin with intact blood supply is much less likely to be rejected, (3) no donor site with added discomfort and care, (4) local recurrence of neoplasm is easily detected, (5) operating time shortened and (6) favorable patient acceptance.

Choroidal osteoma.

A 15-year-old white girl had a presumed choroidal hemangioma in the posterior pole of the right eye. The lesion appeared to grow, and we performed a phosphorous uptake test, which was positive. Subsequent studies demonstrated that the tumor was a choroidal osteoma.