title: Ophthalmic manifestations of multiple myeloma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe ophthalmic manifestations in a series of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and review the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of all cases with ophthalmic manifestations of MM seen at the Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, between 1987 and 2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all patients with MM who were managed at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in the study period, only 8 were referred to the Ophthalmology Department with ophthalmic manifestations. Five males and 3 females with a mean age of 61.25 years (range 42-78) who exhibited ophthalmic manifestations were studied. Six patients (75%) had known MM at the time of their ophthalmic evaluation. Four patients (50%) had neuro-ophthalmic symptoms resulting in diplopia or visual disturbances. Three patients (37.5%) presented with orbital involvement and 1 (12.5%) with hyperviscosity retinopathy. Five patients (62.5%) died within 2 months of their ophthalmic presentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ophthalmic manifestations of MM are uncommon and diverse. They may appear at the initial presentation of the disease or occur late in the disease process. Awareness of the possible manifestations may lead to an earlier diagnosis and have a positive influence on the disease course.
authors.affiliation: Oculoplastic and Orbital Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Selva
authors.forename: Igal
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leibovitch
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hsuan
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crompton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005094:Exophthalmos / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy