Conjunctival hyperemia associated with bimatoprost use: a histopathologic study

Am J Ophthalmol. 2004 Aug;138(2):310-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2004.03.006.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate histopathologic signs of conjunctival inflammation in patients with conjunctival hyperemia induced by bimatoprost treatment.

Design: Prospective interventional study.

Methods: The study included 15 eyes of 15 patients scheduled for cataract surgery. Patients in the treatment group (n = 9) exhibited trace to moderate conjunctival hyperemia when treated with bimatoprost 0.03% every day for 15 to 30 days before surgery. The control group (n = 6) included untreated patients with no ocular disease other than cataract. Conjunctival biopsies were obtained for histologic evaluation with light microscopy.

Results: Vascular congestion was observed in biopsies from 7 patients (78%) in the bimatoprost group and 5 patients (83%) in the control group. Signs of inflammation were found in biopsies from 2 patients (22%) in the bimatoprost group and 2 patients (33%) in the control group.

Conclusions: Histopathologic signs of inflammation were no more frequent in conjunctival specimens from bimatoprost-treated patients with trace to moderate hyperemia than in those from untreated control subjects.

MeSH terms

  • Amides
  • Antihypertensive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bimatoprost
  • Cataract Extraction
  • Cloprostenol / analogs & derivatives
  • Conjunctiva / blood supply
  • Conjunctiva / pathology
  • Conjunctivitis / chemically induced*
  • Conjunctivitis / pathology
  • Glaucoma, Open-Angle / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hyperemia / chemically induced*
  • Hyperemia / pathology
  • Intraocular Pressure / drug effects
  • Lipids / adverse effects*
  • Lipids / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Amides
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Lipids
  • Cloprostenol
  • Bimatoprost