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See also comment(s) by Ian Grierson •
OBJECTIVES: To study the histopathological features of latanoprost-treated irides with or without darkening, compared with non-latanoprost-treated irides. METHODS: Iridectomy specimens and patient history forms were independently examined by three ophthalmic pathologists in a masked fashion. Specimens were evaluated for premalignant changes and for differences in level of pigmentation and degrees of cellularity, inflammation, and vascular abnormalities. RESULTS: The specimens consisted of 22 latanoprost-treated darkened irides, 35 latanoprost-treated irides without darkening, and 35 non-latanoprost-treated irides. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of nuclear invaginations and prominent nucleoli in latanoprost-treated darkened irides compared with the other two groups (P = .004 and P = .005, respectively). The average thickness and pigmentation of the anterior border layer was greater in the latanoprost-treated darkened irides than in the other two groups (P = .03 and P = .02, respectively). The latanoprost-treated darkened irides had increased pigmentation of the stroma (P < .001), stromal fibroblasts (P < .001), melanocytes (P = .005), vascular endothelium (P = .02), and adventitia (P < .001) relative to the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is no histopathological evidence of premalignant changes in latanoprost-treated darkened irides. The latanoprost-induced iris color changes are due to a thickening of the anterior border layer and an increased amount of melanin in the anterior border layer and within the stromal melanocytes.
Dr. D.M. Albert, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, K6/412 Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792-4673, USA. dalbert@wisc.edu
2.8 Iris (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
11.4 Prostaglandins (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)