[Metastatic eye neoplasms. Review of the literature apropos of 4 cases].

Malignant disease metastatic to the eye is a common entity afflicting hundred patients each year. Breast carcinoma is the most common carcinoma responsible for ocular metastases with an estimated range probably closer to 30% and prevalence of 11.000 women by year in United-States. Breast carcinoma is followed by lung cancer and adenocarcinoma of an unknown primary. The diagnosis should be suspected in patient with history of carcinoma and a decreased visual acuity or any other visual symptom. The most useful diagnostic techniques include direct ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The cornerstone of treatment of ocular metastases remains radiation therapy. The overall response rates of earlier diagnosis, according to measurement of visual acuity, may be ranged from 72 to 94%. Early diagnosis and treatment of those lesions are a primary concern to maximize the quality of life until death of patients with metastatic disease. We report four cases of women with breast cancer metastatic to the eye.