Beta-adrenergic blocker therapy and the trabecular meshwork

Purpose: To determine whether beta -adrenergic blocker (beta -blocker) ther apy for glaucoma causes changes in the trabecular meshwork due to underperf usion. Methods: Thirty-five eyes from 19 donors with primary open-angle gla ucoma (POAG) were divided into three groups: eyes receiving beta -blocker t herapy along with standard medications, eyes receiving standard medications but no beta -blockers, and eyes with elevated intraocular pressure but rec eiving no therapy. Transmission electron microscopy was used to assess the extracellular material of the cribriform region, the structure of the trabe cular lamellae, and pigmentation of the trabecular cells. Six eyes from fou r normal donors were used as controls. Results: No specific changes in the trabecular meshwork were found in eyes receiving beta -blocker therapy. The amount and composition of the extracellular matrix of the cribriform regio n and the morphology of the lamellae were similar among the three groups of eyes with POAG. Pigmentation of trabecular cells appeared to be a marker f or aqueous flow, as significantly more cells contained pigment in regions o f the meshwork with thin or normal lamellae than in regions with thickened and fused lamellae, These regions were variable around the circumference of the eye, and were similar between eyes with and without beta -blocker ther apy. Conclusion: beta -Blocker therapy could not be proven to cause underpe rfusion changes in the trabecular meshwork or other discernible effects. Pr eferential pathways for aqueous flow probably exist within regions of the t rabecular meshwork, as evidenced by lamellar appearance and pigmentation of the adjacent trabecular cells.