Relation of graded ocular anterior chamber pigmentation to phenothiazine intake in schizophrenics--quantification procedures.

The fact that larger doses of phenothiazine medications cause more anterior chamber (lens and cornea) pigmentation in schizophrenics has been apparent since the introduction of these neuroleptic drugs nearly 30 years ago. The present study relates the extent of pigmentation to the dose and duration of phenothiazine administration in long-term schizophrenics. An investigation and analysis of the medication records of 272 pigmented schizophrenics show a statistically significant correlation between most of the pigmentation grades and the associated dose of medication. The results indicate that regular biomicroscopy examinations for pigmentation can help confirm medication history and classify schizophrenics.