Biopsy Findings of Conjunotival Goblet Cell Densities Around The Pterygium

ABSTRACT

The goblet cell population of the conjunctiva reflects the degree of the differentiation or maturation of the conjunctival epithelium, which in turn reflects the overall health of the ocular surface. The authors observed the conjunctival goblet cell counts in the 25 eyes with pterygium stained with Periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) and Hematoxylin-Eosinophil(H-E) stain for the evaluation of the conjunctival health state in the presence of pterygium, and compared conjunctival goblet celli counts in the eyes with pterygium with that in the normal 20 eyes. The distribution of conjunctival goblet cells was evaluated in observing the bulbar conjunctival cell counts at 12, 3, 6, 9 o'clock site in enucleated eyes due to phthisis bulbi. There was significant decrease(P<0.01) in the conjunctival goblet cell counts in the eye with pterygium, and was many difference in the individual cases. Mean goblet cell counts in the normal subjects was 6.6/mm. The number of goblet cells was highest in the nasal side, followed by inferior, superior, and temporal side.