Iris varix simulating an iris melanoma

Iris varix is rare and little is known about its clinical characteristics. We treated a thrombosed iris varix that simulated an iris melanoma. A 53-year-old man developed a dark brown iris mass and hyphema in his left eye. Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed a circumscribed mass of the iris stroma. Because of suspicion for melanoma, it was removed by sector iridectomy. Histopathologic examination disclosed an extensive focus of stromal hemorrhage, partially surrounded by endothelial cells that showed immunoreactivity to vascular markers. The histopathologic diagnosis was thrombosed iris varix. Iris varix is a rare condition that should be included in the differential diagnosis of iris melanoma.