Ocular and testicular abnormalities in alopecia areata

Abstract

Ocular abnormalities similar to those usually found in patients with vitiligo occurred in nine patients with alopecia areata and one patient with poliosis. Exophthalmos, iris color change, discrete depigmentation, and, frequently, associated pigment hyperplasia of the choroid and retinal epithelium were found in the ten patients. Four patients had had a bilateral iris color change from dark brown to blue-green. Hypogonadism, thyroid disease, and poliosis may frequently be associated with pigmentary disturbances of the eye, as well as hair loss. Testicular dysfunction with oligospermatism to aspermatism, hypoandrogyny, hyperretractable testes, and epididymal cyst is reported. Two patients had unilateral and one patient had bilateral testicular atrophy.