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Histopathological Study

Rashmi Kapur, MD; Smajo Osmanovic, MD, PhD; Sami Toyran, MD; Deepak P. Edward, MD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2005;123:1541-1546.

Objective  To investigate light microscopic and ultrastructural changes in bimatoprost-induced skin hyperpigmentation.

Methods  Eyelid biopsy specimens from bimatoprost-treated patients and matched controls were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Using an image analyzer, melanin granules were counted on Fontana-Masson–stained sections, and melanosomes were counted on electron micrographs. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with antibodies against S100 and CD3. Positively labeled cells were counted.

Results  By light microscopy, a marked increase in the number of melanin granules was noted in the bimatoprost-treated specimens. Electron microscopy demonstrated dermal melanocytes with prominent rough endoplasmic reticulum and abundant normal-sized melanosomes in different stages of maturation as compared with control specimens. Furthermore, the keratinocytes of the bimatoprost-treated specimens showed abundant mature melanosomes when compared with controls. Also of note, atypical melanocytes were absent in both specimens. The S100-positive melanocytes were comparable in bimatoprost-treated and control specimens. Few CD3- and CD68-positive cells in the bimatoprost-treated specimens were noted in both groups.

Conclusion  Bimatoprost-induced periocular hyperpigmentation is caused by increased melanogenesis. There was no evidence of melanocyte proliferation or prostaglandin-induced inflammation in the specimens that were examined.

Author Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago (Drs Kapur, Osmanovic, Toyran, and Edward); and Arlington Eye Physicians, Arlington Heights, Ill (Dr Osmanovic).

RELATED ARTICLE

Periocular Cutaneous Pigmentary Changes Associated With Bimatoprost Use
Gavin D. Galloway, Tom Eke, and David C. Broadway
Arch Ophthalmol. 2005;123(11):1609-1610.
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