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Abstract #48019 Published in IGR 13-4
Conjunctival findings in hyperbaric and low-tension glaucoma: An in vivo confocal microscopy study
Agnifili L; Carpineto P; Fasanella V; Mastropasqua R; Zappacosta A; Di Staso S; Costagliola C; Mastropasqua LActa Ophthalmologica 2011;
Purpose: To analyse the epithelial features of the bulbar conjunctiva in hyperbaric and low-tension glaucoma (LTG) using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Methods: Thirty-six eyes of 36 patients [18 affected by primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and 18 with LTG] were studied; control group was constituted by 28 eyes of 28 healthy subjects. All eyes were examined using digital confocal laser-scanning microscopy (HRT II Rostock Cornea Module). The main IVCM outcome measurements were mean density (MMD: cysts/mm(2)) and mean total area (MMA: (mu)m(2)) of the epithelial microcysts. Results: The mean intraocular pressure level (mmHg(plus or minus)SD) was 15.1(plus or minus)1.7, 16.3(plus or minus)3.1 and 12.6(plus or minus)1.8 in healthy, POAG and LTG eyes, respectively. Conjunctival microcysts were found in all patients and subjects: for healthy subjects, MMD=10.9(plus or minus)11.1cysts/mm(2) and MMA = 1501.9 (plus or minus) 1191.1 (mu)m(2); for patients infected with POAG, MMD=36.8(plus or minus)28.6cysts/mm(2) and MMA=7904.8(plus or minus)7050.5(mu)m(2); and for patients infected with LTG MMD=45.6(plus or minus)29.0cysts/mm(2) and MMA=7946.9(plus or minus)5227.5(mu)m(2). MMD and MMA were not significantly different between patients infected with POAG and those with LTG, whereas they were significantly greater in patients (fourfold and fivefold, respectively) than healthy subjects. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that conjunctival microcysts represent an in vivo feature in all eyes with medically controlled POAG and LTG. Therefore, conjunctiva deserves careful analysis, because its accurate microscopic definition could help clarify the pathophysiology of aqueous outflow in glaucoma. (copyright) 2011 The Authors. Acta Ophthalmologica (copyright) 2011 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation.
L. Agnifili. Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, Ophthalmic Clinic, University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy, . Email: l.agnifili@unich.it
Classification:
2.1 Conjunctiva (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
6.9.1.1 Confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.9 Computerized image analysis > 6.9.1 Laser scanning)
