Ophthalmic complications in patients with malignant tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses.

We examined 34 Japanese patients (16 men and 18 women) with malignant tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary sinus was the most common tumor. During the patients' initial visits, several ophthalmic symptoms were noticed, including proptosis, epiphora, lid swelling, displacement of the globe, orbital mass, and sudden visual loss. In addition, several ocular and orbital symptoms and signs resulted from treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery and from local recurrence of the tumor. Four patients underwent orbital exenteration, and one underwent evisceration. Five eyes had no light perception.