Congenital iris cysts.

Abstract

SUMMARY Unilateral, spontaneous, non-pigmented iris cysts appeared before the age of 2 years in four patients. Histopathological specimens obtained in three cases showed stratified to cuboidal, non-pigmented, epithelial lined cysts. Goblet cells were recognised in two of the three specimens. The clinical features and histopathological findings indicate that these cysts are derived from surface ectoderm and may be congenital.

Don’t it make my blue eyes brown: heterochromia and other abnormalities of the iris

“…156,176,177 Focal corneal oedema may arise as a result of contact between the stromal cyst and the corneal endothelium. 137,142,161,163 Raised intraocular pressure, 159,163,172,173 hyphaema 137 iritis, and subluxation of the lens 163,167,171,[173][174][175] have been found in association with primary iris stromal cysts.…”

“…170,180 Immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated a positive reaction for epithelial cytokeratin markers and a negative result for the S100 antigen. 159,163,166,170 Electron microscopic studies have shown the presence of microvilli on the luminal surface of the epithelial cells together with desmosomes and tonofilaments. 163,166,170,178 These studies support the notion that primary iris stromal cysts originate from the surface ectoderm, displaced probably at the time of formation of the lens vesicle.…”

“…159,163,166,170 Electron microscopic studies have shown the presence of microvilli on the luminal surface of the epithelial cells together with desmosomes and tonofilaments. 163,166,170,178 These studies support the notion that primary iris stromal cysts originate from the surface ectoderm, displaced probably at the time of formation of the lens vesicle. 170 Rummelt et al 182 reported two cases of congenital epithelial iris cysts in children who had a maternal history of diagnostic amniocentesis.…”

“…170 The precise aetiology of primary iris stromal cysts remains unclear and proposed mechanisms include developmental entrapment of surface ectoderm, neuroectoderm, or surface ectodermal implantation as a result of occult trauma. 163 Histologically, primary iris stromal cysts are lined with a multi-layered squamous or cuboidal epithelium, which may or may not contain mucin-secreting goblet cells. 138,139,142,163,[168][169][170]173,174,178,179 Occasionally, focal keratinisation of the epithelial lining has been observed.…”

“…163 Histologically, primary iris stromal cysts are lined with a multi-layered squamous or cuboidal epithelium, which may or may not contain mucin-secreting goblet cells. 138,139,142,163,[168][169][170]173,174,178,179 Occasionally, focal keratinisation of the epithelial lining has been observed. 170,180 Immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated a positive reaction for epithelial cytokeratin markers and a negative result for the S100 antigen.…”