Ultrastructure of the trabecular meshwork in cases of chronic glaucoma

ABSTRACT

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