Schlemm's Canal and Trabecular Meshwork in Eyes with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: A Comparative Study Using High-Frequency Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

• Published in: PloS one 2016-01, Vol.11 (1), p.e0145824-e0145824
• Main Authors: Yan, Xiaoqin, Li, Mu, Chen, Zhiqi, Zhu, Ying, Song, Yinwei, Zhang, Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Care and treatment; Comparative analysis; Comparative studies; Eye; Eye - diagnostic imaging; Eye - pathology; Female; Glaucoma; Glaucoma, Open-Angle - pathology; Glaucoma, Open-Angle - physiopathology; Histopathology; Humans; In vivo methods and tests; Intraocular Pressure; Male; Microscopy; Middle Aged; Optic atrophy; Patients; Physiology; Risk factors; Science; Studies; Surgical techniques; Tomography; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography; Ultrasound; Ultrasound imaging
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0145824

We investigated in vivo changes in Schlemm's canal and the trabecular meshwork in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Relationships between Schlemm's canal diameter, trabecular meshwork thickness, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were examined. Forty POAG patients and 40 normal individuals underwent 80-MHz Ultrasound Biomicroscopy examinations. The Schlemm's canal and trabecular meshwork were imaged in superior, inferior, nasal and temporal regions. Normal individuals had an observable Schlemm's canal in 80.3% of sections, a meridional canal diameter of 233.0±34.5 μm, a coronal diameter of 44.5±12.6 μm and a trabecular meshwork thickness of 103.9±11.1 μm, in POAG patients, Schlemm's canal was observable in 53.1% of sections, a meridional canal diameter of 195.6±31.3 μm, a coronal diameter of 35.7±8.0 μm, and a trabecular meshwork thickness of 88.3±13.2 μm, which significantly differed from normal (both p