Apoptosis in the iris and trabecular meshwork of medically treated and untreated primary open angle glaucoma patients

• Published in: International journal of ophthalmology Vol. 6; no. 6; pp. 827 - 830
• Main Authors: Aktas, Zeynep, Karaca, Emine Esra, Gonul, Ipek Işik, Hasanreisoglu, Murat, Onol, Merih
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China International Journal of Ophthalmology Press 2013; Press of International Journal of Ophthalmology (IJO PRESS)
• Subjects: apoptosis; Clinical Research; glaucoma; meshwork; trabecular; trabecular meshwork; apoptosis; glaucoma; trabecular meshwork
• ISSN: 2222-3959; 2227-4898
• DOI: 10.3980/j.issn.2222-3959.2013.06.15

AIM:To compare the trabecular meshwork(TM)and iris apoptosis of treated and untreated primary open angle glaucoma(POAG)patients.METHODS:Eight treatment-naive,newly diagnosed(group 1)and 11 medlcaiy treated(group 2)patients with POAG were included in the study.Each patient underwent a limbus-based trabeculectomy.The TM and peripheral iris specimens were dissected out and were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at-80t until they were assayed.Apoptosis in each group was assesed by TUNEL method.RESULTS:The mean patient age was 60.6±5.8 years(53-68 years)vs 58.9±8.9 years(47-70 years)in group 1and group 2(P=0.859).The mean treatment time in group 2 was 22.2±7.3 months(12-34 months).Apoptotic indexes in TM and iris were significantly higher in POAG patients using medication(group 2)compared to treatment-naive POAG patients(group 1)(P=0.004,0.015;respectively).CONCLUSION:Long term administration of topical antiglaucoma medications causes additional toxic effects on TM.