Abstract

POH clinically presents with light colored to dark colored, brown to black pigmentation in the periocular region. Due to POH, patient will have a tired look on the face. It is the clinical examination which mainly aids in the diagnosis of POH. True pigmentation of the eyelid skin has to be differentiated from the shadowing effect caused due to tear trough deformity. All the patients attending the dermatology OPD were screened for periorbital melanosis. Detailed history was taken and clinical examination was performed in the patients with periorbital melanosis. Dermatological examination of the periorbital area was also done to determine the type of periorbital melanosis (vascular and structural type were excluded by a stretch test). In the study, the most common risk factor for POM was rubbing eyes (56.7%) followed by stress (53.33%). 40% had aggravation on sunlight exposure, 36.7% had sleep less than 6 hours, 26.7% had atopy, 26.7% had watching TV/computer for >6 hours and 26.7% had similar complaints in family. Drug intake and eye drops use was seen in 6.7% each.

Description