The effects of antiglaucomatous agents on conjunctiva used for various durations.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of antiglaucomatous agents on conjunctiva used for various durations evaluated histopathologically.


METHODS
Conjunctiva biopsies were taken in 19 Mayis University Faculty of Medicine Ophthalmology Department from 31 eyes of 30 patients who underwent filtration surgery after a period of antiglaucomatous agent use and examined under light microscope. The results were compared with the results of conjunctival biopsies from 10 similar aged patients undergoing retinal detachment of cataract surgery and with no other ocular pathology.


RESULTS
Five of the cases were using antiglaucomatous treatment for two months (Group A), four cases for two to 12 months (Group B) and 22 cases for more than 12 months (Group C) before the surgery. Four cases were using a beta blocker only, eight cases beta blocker + sympathomimetic or beta blocker + myotic and the remaining 19 cases were using a combination of beta blocker + sympathomimetic + myotic. Histopathologic evaluation with light microscope showed no pathologic change in group A, but, subepithelial increase of lymphocytes, mast cells, macrophages and fibroblasts in group C.


CONCLUSIONS
It was detected that subconjunctival inflammatory reaction increases as the number of antiglaucomatous agents and the treatment duration increase. These changes might be considered as risk factors that decrease the success rate of filtration surgery.
Aritürk
N
N
Department of Ophthalmology and Pathology, Ondokuz Mayis University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey.
Oge
I
I
Baris
S
S
Erkan
D
D
Süllü
Y
Y
Koc
F
F
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008916:Miotics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D008916:Miotics; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013566:Sympathomimetics