Introduction: Latanoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analogue, which has been used as a first-line drug for open-angle glaucoma. Common side effects of latanoprost include hyperpigmentation. While it usually occurs on irides or periocular skin, diffuse facial hyperpigmentation is rarely reported.
Case presentation: A 71-year-old woman was presented with diffuse gray-brown colored maculopatches on her face. The symptom appeared 1 week after she started to use latanoprost eye drops for glaucoma. Biopsy specimen revealed vacuolar degeneration of dermo-epidermal junction and pigment incontinence in dermis.
Objective: The aim of this paper is to introduce a rare adverse effect of latanoprost and effective way of treatment.
Methods: We stopped her from using latanoprost. She was also treated with 532-nm potassium titanyl phosphate laser and low-fluence 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, while using topical agents.
Result: After 10 weeks, we observed hyperpigmentation of her face was effectively and safely treated. The patient was satisfied with the result.
Conclusion: Diffuse facial pigmentation could be one of the latanoprost-induced adverse effects and the laser treatments with topical agents we used can make it improve faster.
Keywords: facial hyperpigmentation; latanoprost.
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