Periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is among the common conditions seen in outpatient department.

The goal of a recent study published in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal was to study the etiological factors, clinical patterns and associations of POH.

In this clinico-investigational study, 50 patients with periorbital pigmentation were enrolled, wherefrom a detailed clinical history was recorded. In addition, clinical examination and laboratory investigation including complete blood count, vitamin B12 level and thyroid profile were assessed.

The mean age of the patients presenting with POH was 29.5 years. Overall, 84% of the participants were females and 16% were males. About 14% patients give positive family history of POH, while the history of atopy was positive in 30%. Additionally, history of various other habits like lack of adequate sleep, prolonged exposure to computers, rubbing eyes and application of various cosmetics were also found to be positive in these patients. Other associated clinical findings were freckles in 12%; telengectesia in 2%; erythema in 2%; and melasma in 2%. In a majority of the patients (90%), both upper and lower eyelids were involved; meanwhile, pigmentation involving > 1 cm of eyelid margin was seen in 62% of patients. Laboratory investigations showed anemia in 10% of patients and low serum vitamin B12 in 12%, but none of the patients has deranged thyroid profile.

The results suggested that POH has a multifactorial etiology. Correction of various faulty habits play an important role in the management of POH. Furthermore, the presence of anemia and low serum vitamin B12 levels also indicates the need of detailed laboratory evaluation in these patients.

Source: Indian Dermatology Online Journal. May-Jun 2019;10(3):293-295. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_158_18.