Melanocytes and iris color. Light microscopic findings

Craig L Wilkerson; Nasreen A Syed; Marian R Fisher; Nancy L Robinson; Ingolf H L Wallow; Daniel M Albert

doi:10.1001/archopht.1996.01100130433014

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Melanocytes and iris color. Light microscopic findings

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Melanocytes and iris color. Light microscopic findings

Craig L Wilkerson, Nasreen A Syed, Marian R Fisher, Nancy L Robinson, Ingolf H L Wallow and Daniel M Albert

Archives of ophthalmology (1960), Vol.114(4), pp.437-442

04/1996

DOI: 10.1001/archopht.1996.01100130433014

PMID: 8602782

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Abstract

To systematically evaluate morphologic differences in iris stroma that contribute to clinically perceptible differences in iris color, using immunohistochemical identification of stromal melanocytes and fluorescence microscopy. Paraffin-embedded sections from 51 human irides were stained with S100a and fluorescein isothiocyanate. Cells were counted and scored as melanocytes or other. Melanocyte number, proportion, and density were determined for light-colored (blue), medium-colored (hazel) and dark-colored (brown) irides and compared. No statistically significant difference was observed for mean total cellularity or mean melanocyte number among the three color groups. Mean total stromal cell count was 1177 +/- 259 (mean +/- SEM), and mean melanocyte number was 778 +/- 196 per 5-micrometer section. In human irides, 65.9% of the iris stroma is composed of melanocytes. Melanocyte density (number of cells per square millimeter) is not related to iris color. The number of melanocytes, the proportion of melanocytes, and iris stromal cellularity are not major contributors to iris color.

Eye Color

Pupil - physiology

Cell Count

Humans

Male

S100 Proteins - analysis

Melanins - analysis

Iris - cytology

Melanocytes - cytology

Fluorescent Antibody Technique

Aged, 80 and over

Female

Aged

Details

Title: Subtitle: Melanocytes and iris color. Light microscopic findings
Creators: Craig L Wilkerson - Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, USA
Nasreen A Syed
Marian R Fisher
Nancy L Robinson
Ingolf H L Wallow
Daniel M Albert
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Archives of ophthalmology (1960), Vol.114(4), pp.437-442
DOI: 10.1001/archopht.1996.01100130433014
PMID: 8602782
NLM abbreviation: Arch Ophthalmol
ISSN: 0003-9950
eISSN: 1538-3601
Publisher: American Medical Association; United States
Language: English
Date published: 04/1996
Academic Unit: Pathology; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Record Identifier: 9983980389502771

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