Do Antiglaucomatous Prostaglandins Induce Melanogenesis in Human Conjunctiva?

Abstract

According to our preliminary results, prostaglandin antiglaucomatous analogs do not significantly enhance pigmentation in the superficial layers of the conjunctiva. The existence of the Tyrosinase enzyme in the superficial layers of the conjunctiva suggests that basal melanocytes may transfer their melanogenic apparatus to superficial epithelial cells.

Lack of evidence for a link between latanoprost use and malignant melanoma: an analysis of safety databases and a review of the literature

“…Increases in tyrosinase transcription in latanoprost-treated monkey eyes have also been demonstrated in iridial melanocytes, iridial pigment epithelium and melanocytes of the anterior choroid 26. In a recently published observational study,27 however, there was no clinically significant difference in conjunctival pigmentation or increased expression of tyrosinase (as measured by impression cytology) following a median of 30 (IQR 10.5–39) months of treatment with prostaglandin analogues in patients with open-angle glaucoma compared with healthy volunteers and glaucoma patients not treated with prostaglandin analogues.…”