A 62-year-old woman started on latanoprost 0.005% nightly for primary open-angle glaucoma returns after 3 months complaining that her hazel eyes have become darker brown. Which additional ocular side effect should she be warned about?
- A Lengthening and darkening of eyelashes ✓
- B Punctate keratitis with corneal hypoesthesia
- C Reversible mydriasis with blurred vision
- D Superficial punctate loss of eyebrow hair
Correct answer: A. Lengthening and darkening of eyelashes
Explanation
Prostaglandin analogues cause increased melanin content in iris melanocytes, leading to irreversible darkening of iris colour, plus growth and hyperpigmentation of lashes (hypertrichosis and trichomegaly), caused by prostaglandin effects on the hair follicle. They can also reactivate herpes simplex keratitis and cause cystoid macular oedema in pseudophakic eyes. Mydriasis is wrong because these agents have no effect on the pupil, unlike anticholinergics.
Reference: Khurana, Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.