DISTRIBUTION OF PROTEOGLYCANS IN THE TRABECULAR TISSUE OF EYES WITH NEOVASCULAR GLAUCOMA

We investigated histochemically the composition and distribution of pr oteoglycans in the trabecular tissue of eyes with neovascular glaucoma . Cupromeronic blue in combination with a series of enzyme digestions and nitrous acid treatment were used. The spaces between the trabecula r beams were lined by a single layer of vascular endothelium and were filled with red blood cells. A basal lamina and microfibrils were dete cted just beneath the newly formed vascular endothelial cells. Chondro itin-sulfate- and dermatan-sulfate-type proteoglycans were present in association with collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix. Heparan -sulfate-type proteoglycans were present in association with the basal lamina of both the vascular endothelial cells and the trabecular cell s. Ht is unlikely that these abnormalities in the type or distribution of proteoglycans in the trabecular meshwork have a major role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma.