Schwannoma of the ciliary body treated by block excision

A 26-year-old man developed a non-pigmented ciliary body tumour of his right eye. A 7 mm block excision and tectonic corneoscleral graft were performed. The excised tissue was studied using histopathological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic techniques. The tumour revealed characteristic features of a Schwann cell neoplasm including Antoni A and B patterns, acid mucopolysaccharides, S-100, and vimentin positivity, and--by electron microscopy--Luse bodies. It was classified as a schwannoma. Although rare, schwannoma should be included in the clinical differential diagnosis of non-pigmented ciliary body tumours. Local excision should be considered to avoid over-treatment by enucleation.