[The clinico-morphological characteristics of the conjunctival and iridic microcirculations in open-angle glaucoma].

Thirty-three conjunctival and iridial biopsy specimens obtained during surgery from 23 patients with glaucomas and 10 with cataracts were examined by functional morphologic and morphometric methods. Fluorescent angiography of the anterior segment of the eye was carried out in 15 patients. Conjunctival and iridial biopsy specimens were embedded in epon, ultrathin sections stained with 1% toluidine blue and polychromic stains. Counts of obliterated, studged, dilated, and normal blood vessels and mast cells per mm2 were estimated. The degree of fibrosis was taken into account as well. The number of pathologically changed vessels in glaucoma patients was 1.5 times higher than in those with cataracts. The counts of sludged and obliterated vessels in the conjunctiva and iris were in strict positive correlation. Early degree of intercellular matrix fibrosis was observed in all glaucoma patients and was 2.3 +/- 0.2, whereas in cataract patients this value was 1.3 +/- 0.3. Two forms of fibrosis were distinguished: with active fibroblast proliferation and sclerosis with depositions of coarse fibrous tissue. Mast cell index in glaucoma patients surpassed twofold that in controls. The microcirculatory bed status and intercellular matrix fibrosis in glaucoma may be due to increased count of mast cells and their precursors basophils which may be the modulators of the above processes.