Iris melanocytoma.

INTRODUCTION: Iris melanocytoma (IM) is a rare benign tumor, but unavoidable in differential diagnosis of pigmented iris lesions. According to the best knowledge of the authors it is for the first time in Serbia that a well-documented case of IM is presented and that the problem of this tumor is discussed. CASE OUTLINE: In the left eye of a 47-year-old white female at the iris in a six o'clock position, a highly pigmented, dome shaped lesion with a crater-like cavity in the center and with feathery margins was noticed. There were no signs of infiltration of surrounding tissue or intrinsic vessels and the lens was clear. Visual acuity and intraocular pressure were normal. An ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) revealed a well-defined lesion with high internal reflectivity, with a base diameter of 1.25 mm and a thickness of 0.80 mm in the periphery, and 0.53 mm in the central part.The diagnosis of IM of the left eye was established and regular checkups were performed for ten years. No changes in clinical or UBM presentation were established. CONCLUSION: Awareness of clinical presentation of IM is most important for correct diagnosis. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is a useful diagnostic procedure in the following up of IM.

[Ophthalmological profile of patients living with HIV/AIDS].

INTRODUCTION: Serbia has 2.287 registered HIV positive persons. A certain number has ocular complications which are mainly the result of opportunistic infections accompanying this illness. Due to a highly stigmatizing environment for people living with HIV/AIDS in Serbia, they do not always seek doctors assistance despite the fear of losing their sight. CASE REPORT: We presented ophthalmologic status of nine HIV positive persons, all at the different phases of the illness. The decrease in the visual acuity was the first symptom which led to the diagnosis of HIV infection in two of our patients. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmologist has an important role in the multidisciplinary approach to patients with HIV/AIDS from introducing the diagnosis to the follow-up and the treatment of ocular complications which may accompany this chronic illness. With the active involvement of eye professionals serious consequences can be prevented, which have not only medical but also social and economic implications on the individual and the society as a whole.

Influence of retrobulbar neuritis and papillitis on echographically measured optic nerve diameter.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Retrobulbar (optic) neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve that may cause a complete or partial loss of vision. This inflammation can affect a part of the nerve within the eyeball (neuropapillitis) or a part of the nerve behind the eyeball (retrobulbar neuritis). The aim of this study was to establish whether there is a correlation between the diameter of a retrobulbar part of the optic nerve and either visual acuity, prominence of the optic disk (papillitis), or nature of the neuritis (papillitis or retrobulbar). METHODS: We tested 23 patients with retrobulbar neuritis and papillitis. In addition to a complete ophthalmologic examination, the diameter of retrobulbar region of the optic nerve was measured by the B-scan method. Following this, the 30-degree test was carried out. RESULTS: We found an increased thickness of the retrobulbar region in 22 patients and different responses to the 30-degree test, as well as a statistically significant negative correlation between the thickness of retrobulbar part of the optic nerve and visual acuity. CONCLUSION: The retrobulbar part of the optic nerve is thicker in 94% of the patients with retrobulbar neuritis and in all the patients with papillitis. There is a correlation between the reduction of visual acuity and thickening of a retrobulbar part.