[Histochemical studies on two cases of Peters' anomaly]

We examined glycosaminoglycan molecular species in the corneal stroma and the sclera histochemically in two cases of Peters' anomaly. Paraffin-embedded sections were stained with either hematoxylin-eosin or sensitized high iron diamine combined with enzyme digestion and then examined with a light microscope. In the center of the cornea, the histological specimens revealed defects of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane, together with a local defect of the corneal stroma. Disorganized lens materials were detected in the corneal stroma. In the peripheral cornea, the undifferentiated iris adhered to the corneal posterior surface. Based upon the findings mentioned above, these two cases were diagnosed as having Peters' anomaly caused by faulty separation of the lens vesicle. The sclera showed normal structures in the specimen stained with hematoxylin-eosin. In both cases, the corneal stroma involved nearly equal amounts of chondroitin sulfate A/C and B. The sclera, on the other hand, contained a large amount of chondroitin sulfate A/C and a relatively small amount of chondroitin sulfate B. Keratan sulfate was never detected in either the cornea or the sclera. Thus, disorders of glycosaminoglycan molecular species were detected in the sclera as well as in the corneal stroma.