Bilateral persistent pigmentary deposits in stromal cornea after short-time treatment with antidepressants in a female patient

Background: Neuropsychiatric agents may affect the eye in various ways. Phe nothiazine commonly used in the treatment of depressive psychosis and schiz ophrenia may induce pigmentary deposits in the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea , lens and retina. Patient: We report on a case of a 60-year-old female patient who presented with pigmentary changes in the cornea of unknown origin. We found bilateral , axial brown dustlike deposits in the posterior stroma of the cornea. Furt her opthalmic investigation revealed no other abnormalities, Seven years ag o the patient underwent therapy with fluphenazine, a phenothiazinederivativ e. The corneal changes were similar to those described for chlorpromazine, which is also a phenothiazinederivative. Conclusion: Phenothiazine may induce pigmentary changes of the eye, Ophthal mic followup in patients with phenothiazine therapy seems to be necessary.