Electron microscopic studies on the trabecular meshwork in glaucoma simplex

In 20 cases of chronic simple glaucoma with cataract a trabeculectomy was carried out and the bioptic specimens were studied by electron microscopy. For the purpose of comparison similar specimens obtained from 14 cases of secondary glaucoma and 7 control eyes were investigated by the same methods. In many cases of glaucoma simplex deposits of homogeneous osmiophilic material (plaques) were found between the cell layers of the cribriform area of the trabecular meshwork adjacent to the inner wall of Schlemm's canal. These were not present to such an extent within the control specimens. The plaques differ in structure and size, and appear first in foci. In advanced stages of the glaucomatous disease, the entire juxtacanalicular region is filled with osmiophilic plaques of this kind. The nature of these substances is unknown.