Melanoma or glaucoma? A case report.

CASE REPORT: The case is presented of a patient referred to us with suspicion of a ciliary body melanoma due to a pigmented lesion in iris root of left eye, associated with high intraocular pressure, despite maximal topical and systemic medication. The systematic workup revealed unilateral changes in the corneal endothelium, compatible with an iridocorneal syndrome. An Ahmed® valve was inserted, achieving sustained control of intraocular pressure and visual field defects.

DISCUSSION: Iridocorneal syndromes are a wide and heterogeneous group of diseases, in which endothelial cells grow over the trabeculum, leading to an increase in intraocular pressure. Due to the nature of the disease, tube shunt surgery may be the best option in its treatment. Systematic workup is crucial, since the differential diagnosis may include potentially blinding and even life threatening conditions.