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Ocular inflammations caused by the latex of euphorbiaceae manifest themselves as lid swelling, severe conjunctivitis, keratitis and iritis with hypopyon. As therapy, the local application of corticosteroids is recommended. In severely affected cases intravenous injections of Sandosten-Calcium and Solu-Dacortin (Merck) are indicated. The caustic effect of euphorbia cyparissias is caused by phorbol acid and phorbol acid ester. On the Canary Islands, the latex of euphorbiaceae is quickly removed by drop application of the sap of aeonium lindleyi, family crassulaceae. In the past, the sap of sempervivum tectorum which also belongs to the crassulaceae, was used as a household remedy for ocular inflammations.

The patient, who is now 60, had a nevus and areas of cystic changes in the conjunctiva in her right eye, which had been present from birth to the age of 59. In 1987, rapid tumor growth aroused suspicion that malignant change could be occurring and so the nevus as well as the area of the conjunctiva containing cystic changes were excised. Histological finding: conjunctival malignant melanoma, containing compressed (densely arranged) atypical cells with pleomorphic hyperchromatic nuclei and prominent nucleoli. The biopsy specimen of the conjunctiva showed a typical nevocellular nevus with large inclusion cysts of the conjunctival epithelium.

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