Korean J Dermatol.
2002 Jun;40(6):646-650.
The Ocular Disorders Observed in Patients with Vitiligo
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Dermatology, College of medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea. yjkim@chosun.ac.kr
- 2Department of Ophthalmology, College of medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, Korea. yjkim@chosun.ac.kr
Abstract
-
BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a common disorder caused by a loss of epidermal pigment cells. The pigment cells in the skin and uveal tract are similar in their physiology and morphology and share a common embryologic origin.
OBJECT: The purpose of our study was to determine the nature of the relationship between vitiligo and ocular disease.
METHODS
Fifty-two patients with vitiligo were examined for ocular abnormalities.
RESULTS
There were 17ocular abnormalities our study; 5 fundal focal hypopigmented spots (9.6%), 6 iris pigment clumps(11.5%), and 6 lens opacity(11.5%).
CONCLUSION
We believe that vitiligo may affect pigment cells in the eye. Therefore, all patients with vitiligo should have ocular examinations.
