[Amyloidosis of the iris and sclera in the pathogenesis of glaucoma]

Morphological analysis of 173 biopsies of the iris and sclera removed during antiglaucoma operations in 115 patients with open angle glaucoma showed extracellular deposits of amyloid in 44.4% of cases, which complicated the course of glaucomatous process and had pathogenetic importance. Amyloid was identified by Congo red [correction of Congo-rot] staining with the control in the polarized light and also by toluidine blue staining for chondroitin and dermatan sulfates. The vascular and muscle (pupillary muscle) forms of amyloidosis were found in the iris and the pericollagen and focal forms in the drainage system and sclera. We propose to classify the amyloid form of glaucoma with specific morphological picture.