Identification of fibrin/fibrinogen in glaucoma filtration surgery wounds.

We have localized fibrin/fibrinogen in experimental glaucoma filtration surgery wounds in non-human primates by light and transmission electron microscopy. Fibrin/fibrinogen was abundant two days after surgery, but was virtually undetectable by seven days postoperatively. We have confirmed the identity of fibrin/fibrinogen on the ultrastructural level by immunoelectron microscopy employing antibodies directed against fibrinogen. Fibrin clot formation may play an important role in the wound healing response that causes glaucoma filtration surgery to fail.