Vempuluru Vijitha S, Laiton Andrea, Milman Tatyana, Lee Jason B, Eagle Ralph C, Shields Carol L
Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital.
Department of Pathology, Wills Eye Hospital.
Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023;39(5):e139-e142. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000002395. Epub 2023 Apr 3.
Exogenous ochronosis refers to accumulation of homogentisic acid metabolites in tissues, manifesting as pigmentation of affected tissues. Phenolic compounds are most commonly implicated, including hydroquinone, quinine, phenol, resorcinol, mercury, and picric acid. The affected connective tissues exhibit brownish discoloration when heavily pigmented and the histopathological appearance is characteristic with "banana-shaped" ochre-colored pigment deposits. Herein, the authors describe a rare case of exogenous ochronosis involving the conjunctiva, sclera and skin, as a result of chronic use of Teavigo (94% epigallocatechin gallate), a polyphenol compound with postulated antioxidant and antiapoptotic activity.