Amyloid Disease of the Eyelid and Conjunctiva

Abstract

Amyloid tumors localized to the conjunctiva and eyelids are not a common finding. There are relatively few reports in the English literature. Tumor-forming instances of amyloidosis are characterized by the incidental finding of small solitary or multiple growths in the eye adnexa or other organs, especially the respiratory tract, in otherwise healthy individuals. The purpose of this paper is to add 3 new cases of amyloid disease of ophthalmological interest to the ones already reported. We shall emphasize the unusual features of the third case, since it is the first reported case of ptosis secondary to direct amyloid infiltration of the levator palpebrae superioris. <h3>Report of Cases</h3><h3>Case 1.</h3> —A 30-year-old housewife* was seen in September, 1951, with a 10 year history of a growth at the inner canthus of the left eye. This had begun as a brownish spot which had progressively increased in size. Ophthalmological examination was