Quantitative analysis of collagen content and amino acids in trabecular meshwork.

The purpose of this study was to compare collagen content in the TM of normal and glaucomatous eyes, and to establish whether collagen levels change with age. Collagen content was measured in 30 normal and 27 age matched glaucoma trabeculectomy specimens by the sirius red dye binding technique, and in 14 normal and 15 age matched glaucoma specimens by amino acid analysis. Both dye binding data and amino acid analysis showed no statistical difference between normal and glaucoma samples. Age had no significant effect on mean optical densities or on the collagen-specific amino acids proline, hydroxyproline, and hydroxylysine. Amino acid variability, however, was statistically different between the two groups. These results indicate that mean collagen levels in the trabecular meshwork of glaucomatous eyes do not differ from those in normal eyes.