PURPOSE:

To evaluate the incidence of the increased iris pigmentation in Japanese with topical latanoprost.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

One hundred and twelve patients who had homogeneous brown irises were studied. Age of the patients was 23 to 80(average 63.8 +/- 10.4) and follow-up periods were 6 to 12 (10.3 +/- 1.4) months. Slit lamp examination was carefully performed before use and at every month after use of latanoprost. Photographs were taken when necessary. The Kaplan-Meier life table method was used to evaluate the incidence of the increased iris pigmentation.

RESULT:

Iris pigment increase was observed in 47 patients. The incidence of the increased iris pigmentation was calculated as 10.1% at 3 months, 26.4% at 6 months, 50.1% at 9 months and 51.6% at 12 months after use. Pigmentation progressed as a granular concentric or sunrise pattern or a subtype of these. Some pigmentation occurred at one month after use, and progressed monthly. No patients noted their own iris color change, but were told by their relatives. Iris color changes of brown iris were considered to be less strong than in the hazel(green or blue/gray or yellow combined with brown) eye.