Iris colour, skin colour and mydriatic response

ABSTRACT

Mydriatic response to one drop of 2% homatropine applied locally into the eye was measured in subjects with different iris and skin colours. Maximum mydraisis was detected in subjects with green colour iris [7.9mm], followed by brown [6.9mm] and black [5.9mm] irides respectively. Subjects with white skin showed maximum mydriatic response [7.8mm], followed by dark [6.8mm] and black [5.2mm] skin. The majority of our local population has a dark complexion with heavily pigmented iris, therefore doses of mydriatic drugs should be adjusted according to the response. Further studies with topically applied drugs into the eye is recommebded, as well as the interaction between different drugs applied to the eye simultaneously