Biochemical abnormalities in the aqueous in chronic open-angle glaucoma.

We studied gel electrophoretic patterns of proteins in the aqueous humor of patients undergoing cataract or glaucoma surgery. Of special interest was a protein doublet present in the range of 130,000 to 135,000 daltons. Analysis of the relative concentration of these two proteins in a given sample revealed statistically significant differences in aqueous humor obtained from patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma compared with that obtained from patients with non-chronic open-angle glaucoma or those with cataract. These differences could not be accounted for by other factors, such as preoperative medicines or age. It is possible that the outflow obstruction in chronic open-angle glaucoma somehow may be related to abnormalities in the protein distribution in the aqueous humor of susceptible individuals.