ESSENTIAL IRIS ATROPHY, PIGMENT DISPERSION, AND GLAUCOMA IN DBA 2J MICE/

PURPOSE. To characterize ocular abnormalities associated with iris atr ophy in DBA/2J mice and to determine whether mice of this strain devel op elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma. METHODS. Differen t approaches, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopic exami nation, ultrasound backscatter microscopy, and histology were used to examine the eyes of DBA/2J mice ranging from 2 to 50 months old. IOP w as measured in DBA/2J mice of different ages. RESULTs. DBA/2J mice wer e found to develop pigment dispersion, iris transillumination, iris at rophy, anterior synechias, and elevated IOP. IOP was elevated in most mice by the age of 9 months. These changes were followed by the death of retinal ganglion cells, optic nerve atrophy, and optic nerve cuppin g. The prevalence and severity of these lesions increased with age. Op tic nerve atrophy and optic nerve cupping was present in the majority of mice by the age of 22 months. CONCLUSIONS. DBA/2J mice develop a pr ogressive form of secondary angle-closure glaucoma that appears to be initiated by iris atrophy and the associated formation of synechias. T his mouse strain represents a useful model to evaluate mechanisms of p ressure-related ganglion cell death and optic nerve atrophy, and to ev aluate strategies for neuroprotection.