Ultrastructure of the trabecular meshwork in secondary glaucoma eyes after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide.

PURPOSE

To study the histology of the trabecular meshwork of eyes with glaucoma by intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide (TA).

DESIGN

Two cases report.

PARTICIPANTS/METHODS: A 68-year-old Japanese man with branch retinal vein occlusion and a 48-year-old Japanese woman with uveitis were treated by cataract surgery, intraocular lens implantation, and TA-assisted pars plana vitrectomy. At the end of surgery, TA suspension (4 mg) was intravitreously injected. During the follow-up period, the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the patients increased over 30 mm Hg even with full medication. Trabeculectomy was performed at 4 months after TA injection in case 1 and at 6 months in case 2, and intraocular pressure returned to the normal range in both cases. Light and electron microscopic studies of the resected trabecular tissue were carried out.

RESULTS

The histology showed minimal deposition of extracellular matrix in the trabecular meshwork in case 1. Case 2 showed the beginnings of deposition of extracellular matrix including fingerprintlike material in the trabecular meshwork with decreased intertrabecular spaces.

CONCLUSIONS

The ultrastructural changes in the trabecular meshwork of eyes with glaucoma after treatment with intravitreal TA might resemble those with glaucoma after topical corticosteroid treatment.