Electron microscopic observation of the cells floating in the anterior chamber in a case of phacolytic glaucoma.

The floating cells in the anterior chamber and a trabeculectomy specimen obtained from a 63-year-old man with phacolytic glaucoma were observed under a light microscope and a transmission electron microscope. Numerous macrophages which had phagocytized degenerated lens material (phacolytic cells) were observed in the anterior chamber, and free-floating degenerated lens material was also conspicuous. Melanin-laden macrophages accompanied by a small number of erythrocytes, ghost erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and macrophages showing erythrophagocytosis and leukophagocytosis and phagocytizing degenerating macrophages were also observed in the anterior chamber. In the trabeculectomy specimen, the intertrabecular space was obstructed by the phacolytic cells, melanin-laden macrophages, cell debris and free-floating degenerated lens material. It is concluded that these substances may cause obstruction of the aqueous humor outflow pathways, resulting in glaucoma.