Latanoprost-Induced Iris Heterochromia and Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Clinicopathologic Report.

Original Articles

Journal of Glaucoma. 10(5):411-413, October 2001.
Tsai, James C. MD *; Sivak-Callcott, Jennifer A. MD *; Haik, Barrett G. MD +; Zhang, Jing MD, PhD ++; McLean, Ian W. MD [S]

Abstract:
Purpose: To report the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings from the iridectomy specimen of a patient with acquired unilateral iris heterochromia due to latanoprost.

Patient and Methods: A 45-year-old woman with open-angle glaucoma and unilateral iris heterochromia was evaluated for uncontrolled intraocular pressure increase. Subsequently, the patient underwent trabeculectomy with mitomycin C and an iridectomy specimen was obtained for analysis.

Results: The histopathologic analysis of the iridectomy specimen did not reveal any nuclear atypia, nuclear crowding, or mitotic figures. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the iris melanocytes were negative for HMB45 and S-100, and weakly positive for Melan A.

Conclusion: Latanoprost-associated iris color change may exhibit a diffuse, uniform, dark velvet-brown appearance, thereby simulating diffuse iris melanoma. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the benign characteristics of the affected iris melanocytes.

(C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.