POLYMORPHISM OF EYE DRAINAGE SYSTEM CHANGES IN GLAUCOMA

Abstract

The study aim was to investigate structural peculiarities of sclera in different types of glaucoma, with an accent on changes of the eye drainage system. Materials and methods. Comparative descriptive case-control study of 103 patients (206 eyes) with different glaucoma types has been carried out: primary congenital glaucoma - 8 people, juvenile open-angle glaucoma - 10, primary open-angle glaucoma - 24, pseudoexfoliative - 35, pigmentary - 4, angle-closure -22. A pathomorphological study of 103 surgical scleral specimens has been conducted. Results. Distinctive changes of eye drainage system connective tissue were revealed according to the glaucoma type. Congenital glaucoma is characterized by an abundance of collector channels, a quantity of matrix-producing cells and explicit hydrophilic fiber compartment of sclera. Angle-closure glaucoma is defined by aseptic inflammation with polymorphic perivascular cell infiltrate and edema of eye drainage system endothelium as well. Structural equivalents of a long-lasting dystrophic process with a gradual destruction and reduction of cell elements are distinguishing features of primary open-angle glaucoma. Different glaucoma types vary in the explicitly and location of pigment imbibition of the drainage system components. Conclusion. Stereotypical and specific changes of eye drainage system were revealed in pathomorphogenesis of different types of glaucoma. These features determine the universal character and polymorphism of clinical aspects of glaucoma.

Keywords

• glaucoma
• scleral sample
• eye drainage system
• light microscopy
• electron microscopy