Latanoprost-induced iris heterochromia and open-angle glaucoma: a clinicopathologic report

J Glaucoma. 2001 Oct;10(5):411-3. doi: 10.1097/00061198-200110000-00009.

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / drug therapy*
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects
  • Iris / drug effects*
  • Iris / pathology
  • Iris / surgery
  • Iris Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Iris Diseases / diagnosis
  • Iris Diseases / surgery
  • Latanoprost
  • Melanosis / chemically induced*
  • Melanosis / diagnosis
  • Melanosis / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitomycin / therapeutic use
  • Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / adverse effects*
  • Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / therapeutic use
  • Trabeculectomy

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Prostaglandins F, Synthetic
  • Mitomycin
  • Latanoprost