[Clinico-morphologic research on the initial stage of open-angle glaucoma in patients of various ages]

The paper analyses results of clinical examination of patients with initial open-angle glaucoma--44 eyes of patients under 44 years of age and 96 eyes of patients above 50--and those of morphologic studies of 16 biopsies of the drainage zone of the eyes obtained at sinusotrabeculectomy in young and elderly patients. A complex investigation of the initial stage of open-angle glaucoma has shown identical clinico-morphologic changes responsible for this form of the disease in patients at any age. This identity is manifested itself by similar hydro- and blood microcirculatory disturbances, changes in the anterior chamber angle structures differing only quantitatively in patients of various age. Some distinctive peculiarities in the course of open-angle glaucoma are also noted in persons of young age. Morphologic studies have revealed qualitative differences in glaucomatous patients of young age, such as specific structures of collagenous fibers peculiar to embryonic period.