A 'black cornea' secondary to topical epinephrine.
We report a case of 'black cornea" secondary to topical epinephrine therapy and present the biochemical analysis of the lesion. The formed pigment is a melanin and not the intermediate substance, adrenochrome, as has been previously reported. The pathogenesis of melanin deposition is reviewed and a hypothesis of epinephrine-melanin binding is suggested.
D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions
D008543:Melanins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D004837:Epinephrine