Further Outpatient Care

Patients with Kaposi sarcoma should have routine ophthalmic examinations; the frequency depends on the severity of eye involvement.

Most eye lesions can be observed. Severe eye discomfort, disfigurement, and dysfunction indicate a need for local treatment.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

Most eye lesions are simply observed.

Complications

See Mortality/Morbidity.

Prognosis

Ophthalmic Kaposi sarcoma has an indolent course. Most lesions are observed.

Patient Education

Instruct patients about the risk of HIV because Kaposi sarcoma may be the initial manifestation of AIDS.

Educate patients about the importance of routine ophthalmologic examinations.

Questions

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Hummer J, Gass JD, Huang AJ. Conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma treated with interferon alpha-2a. Am J Ophthalmol. 1993 Oct 15. 116(4):502-3. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Samaniego F, Bryant JL, Liu N, et al. Induction of programmed cell death in Kaposi's sarcoma cells by preparations of human chorionic gonadotropin. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1999 Jan 20. 91(2):135-43. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Shuler JD, Holland GN, Miles SA, et al. Kaposi sarcoma of the conjunctiva and eyelids associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Arch Ophthalmol. 1989 Jun. 107(6):858-62. [QxMD MEDLINE Link].
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Media Gallery

Section of eyelid with Kaposi sarcoma lesion under high magnification. This tissue section demonstrates increased angiogenesis and spindle-shaped cells. Courtesy of Ben Glasgow, MD, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute.
Section of eyelid with Kaposi sarcoma lesion under high magnification. This tissue section demonstrates endothelium-lined vascular channels and proliferation of spindle-shaped cells. Increased angiogenesis with erythrocyte extravasation is observed. Courtesy of Ben Glasgow, MD, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute.
The inferior conjunctiva is involved more commonly than the superior conjunctiva in Kaposi sarcoma. Courtesy of Gary N Holland, MD, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute.
Kaposi sarcoma involvement of the eyelid. Courtesy of Gary N Holland, MD, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute.

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Author

Jacqueline Freudenthal, MD Co-Investigator, Ophthalmic Consultants Centre, Toronto

Jacqueline Freudenthal, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Canadian Ophthalmological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kevin Ryan Yuhan, MD Attending Physician, Cornea, Cataract, Refractive and External Diseases, Southern California Permanente Medical Group

Kevin Ryan Yuhan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Medical Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Phi Beta Kappa, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Timothy T You, MD Consulting Surgeon in Ophthalmology, Private Practice

Timothy T You, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD Clinical Professor of Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Christopher J Rapuano, MD Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Director of the Cornea Service, Wills Eye Hospital

Christopher J Rapuano, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Ophthalmological Society, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Cornea Society, Eye Bank Association of America, International Society of Refractive Surgery

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: AAO; OMIC; American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma (ASOT); Avellino, Bio-Tissue; Celularity; Dompe; Glaukos; Kala; Oyster Point; Sun Ophthalmics; Tarsus; TearLab<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Glaukos; Dompe; Bio-Tissue<br/>Received research grant from: Glaukos<br/>Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: AAO; OMIC; Bio-Tissue; Cellularity; Dompe; Glaukos; Kala; Sun Ophthalmics; TearLab.

Chief Editor

Edsel B Ing, MD, PhD, MBA, MEd, MPH, MA, FRCSC Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine; Staff, Michael Garron Hospital (Toronto East Health Network) and Sunnybrook Hospital, Canada

Edsel B Ing, MD, PhD, MBA, MEd, MPH, MA, FRCSC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Canadian Society of Oculoplastic Surgery, Chinese Canadian Medical Society, European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, Ontario Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Statistical Society of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Anastasios J Kanellopoulos, MD Assistant Program Director, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, New York University

Anastasios J Kanellopoulos, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Eye Bank Association of America, and International Society of Refractive Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.