[Histopathologic and ultrastructural studies of the iris in acute angle-closure glaucoma]

By light and transmission electron microscopy, iris specimens from 40 eyes of 24 patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma were investigated and compared with those of healthy eyes in the same patients. During an acute attack, the anterior border layer of the iris became thickened, and stromal cells and collagen fibrils greatly proliferated. The endothelial cells swelled and muscle fibers showed vacuolization, depigmentation or atrophy. During the stage of remission, the iris was structurally disrupted and the stromal cells degenerated markedly. In the absolute stage, the stromal cells were atrophic and the fibers resolved, while the mast cells increased in large numbers. The significance of these findings were discussed.