Ocular alterations in alopecia areata

Purpose To determine the ocular alterations occurring in alopecia areata wi th regard to the lens and fundus. Methods Seventy-five patients with alopecia areata were examined. Seventy h ealthy control patients unaffected by skin, ocular or systemic disorders we re also studied. Results Symptomless punctate lens opacities were found in 38 (51%) patients , whereas only 2 (3%) control patients had similar lens changes. Fundus alt erations 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 discu ssed.