title: Ocular alterations in alopecia areata.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the ocular alterations occurring in alopecia areata with regard to the lens and fundus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five patients with alopecia areata were examined. Seventy healthy control patients unaffected by skin, ocular or systemic disorders were also studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptomless punctate lens opacities were found in 38 (51%) patients, whereas only 2 (3%) control patients had similar lens changes. Fundus alterations were found in 31 (41%) cases of alopecia areata and in only 16 (23%) controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These ocular alterations and their prevalence are reported and some theories regarding the possible aetiopathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Oftalmologia Università di Roma La Sapienza Rome Italy.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Recupero
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abdolrahimzadeh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Dominicis
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mollo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Carboni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rota
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Calvieri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology