A case of conjunctival malignant melanoma with local recurrence

Malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva is a rare tumour of middle and old age. It is seen predominantly in whites, and is rare in those of pigmented ethnicity. Its clinical presentation varies, and making a clinical diagnosis may be difficult. The tumour is potentially fatal and displays a high rate of recurrence, which can be attributed to delay in diagnosis, as well as inadequate surgical approach. The literature on this melanoma is scanty, even in the West, particularly regarding the precise surgical technique. We report a case of malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva which showed a local recurrence one year after the primary surgery. However, there was no evidence of distant metastasis on either occasion. This case highlights the need for care in making a diagnosis, meticulous attention to the surgical technique, and careful follow-up to detect further disease activity.