Periorbital melanosis is an extension of pigmentary demarcation line-F on face.

BACKGROUND To date, periorbital melanosis is an ill-defined entity. The condition has been stated to be darkening of the skin around the eyes, dark circles, infraorbital darkening and so on. AIMS This study was aimed at exploring the nature of pigmentation in periorbital melanosis. METHODS One hundred consecutive patients of periorbital melanosis were examined and investigated to define periorbital melanosis. Extent of periorbital melanosis was determined by clinical examination. Wood's lamp examination was performed in all the patients to determine the depth of pigmentation. A 2-mm punch biopsy was carried out in 17 of 100 patients. RESULTS In 92 (92%) patients periorbital melanosis was an extension of pigmentary demarcation line over the face (PDL-F). CONCLUSION Periorbital melanosis and pigmentary demarcation line of the face are not two different conditions; rather they are two different manifestations of the same disease.