Ultrastructure of the trabecular meshwork in cases of chronic glaucoma

Serial sections of 90 trabeculectomy specimens of different types of medically uncontrolled glaucoma [52 open angle, 19 narrow angle and 19 other types of glaucoma] were examined by light microscopy. The best 11 specimens, showing the least surgical trauma, were further studied by electron microscopy. Detailed morphometric analysis of the inner wall of Schlemm's canal and the adjacent cirbiform meshwork in the photomontages has shown the following significant observations: 1. - Reduction of the number and size of vacuoles in the endothelial cells. 2. - Reduction of the intercellular free space. 3. - Increase of electron dense material accumulation. We believe that the transport of aqueous humour from anterior chamber into Schlemm's canal is by fluid transport regulated by the activity of the endothelial lining of Schlemm's canal. Thus, we may hypothesize that a dercrease in cellular activity of the endothelial lining of Schlemm's canal may be an aetioIogical factor in primary open angle glaucoma

Structural changes induced by intracameral infection of alpha-chymotrypsin versus trypsin in rabbit's eye

The structural changes induced by intracameral injection of alpha chymotrypsin versus trypsin in rabbits' eyes and also their effect upon their intra ocular pressure were studied in this work. It was found that, marked elevation of the intra ocular pressure and progressive atrophic changes affecting the cornea, iris, ciliary body and the optic nerve of rabbits' eyes injected with alpha chymotrypsin. The details of the atrophic changes and the mechanisms inducing glaucoma were discussed. Milder atrophic changes affecting the cornea, iris, ciliary body and the optic nerve of the rabbits' eyes injected with trypsin. Also their intra ocular pressure did not rise following the injection

Cataract extraction in glaucomatous patients

The management of cataract in glaucomatous patients depends upon whether glaucoma is medically controlled in which condition cataract extraction per se can be performed and continued post-operatively on antiglaucoma. If the patient had a previous successful glaucoma filtering operation,cataract extraction through an upper corneal section is the most accepted methods in order to avoid undesirable changes in both morphology and function at the level of the cystoid satisfactorily filtering bleb. If glaucoma is uncontrolled medically or surgically a combined cataract extraction with a glaucoma filtering procedure had no alternative while in cases who had hypotony following antiglaucoma surgery the cataract is extracted through the bleb aiming to induce scarring to elevate the ocular pressure