Background: The most common primary tumors of the eye are melanomas in adults and retinoblastomas in children. Although generally not recognized, metastases to the eye are more frequent than primary tumors.
Results: Occult esophageal carcinoma metastasized to the retina in a 51-year-old woman. The cytologic diagnosis of carcinoma was established on intraocular vitreous washings. Further workup disclosed an adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, confirmed by brushings and biopsy.
Conclusion: The cytologic features of the intraocular aspirate allowed a rapid and reliable diagnosis that led to further investigation.