[Corneoscleral trabecular collagen. Ultrastructural changes and immunotyping in chronic and cortisone-induced...

Ultrastructural changes in connective matrix of corneoscleral trabeculum in primary open-angle glaucoma and corticosteroid-induced glaucoma are described. Four forms of collagen fibers were observed: typical, hyper-, segmented fibers and cross-banded collagen. Light and electron microscopy, using antibodies against collagen types, demonstrates the presence of type I collagen widely distributed in trabecular connective matrix and type III collagen in perivascular zones. Type IV collagen is located on basal membranes on endothelial lamina. In glaucomatous disease, the ultrastructural aspect of connective matrix reflects a continuous remodelling process associating fibrolysis and fibrogenesis.