[Collagen fibrils in nanophthalmic sclerae].
OBJECTIVE
To examine collagen fibrils in 3 nanophthalmos sclerae and to compare them with normal control sclerae morphometrically.


METHODS
Three cases of nanophthalmos associated with uveal effusion were studied. When sclerectomy was performed, scleral specimens were collected and fixed with 3% glutaraldehyde/2.5% paraformaldehyde. After epon-embedding and ultrathin sectioning, they were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Collagen fibrils from both nanophthalmos and normal control sclerae were compared in diameters and numbers per micron 2 areas.


RESULTS
All scleral tissues from the three cases were associated with irregularly woven and unclear collagen bundles. Several abnormal findings, such as twisting or fraying, were also detected in a few collagen fibrils. The diameter and density of normal-appearing collagen fibrils that occupied most areas of nanophthalmos sclerae were the same as those from normal control sclerae morphometrically.


CONCLUSIONS
Although nanophthalmos sclerae even with uveal effusion showed thick irregular collagen bundles and a few abnormal collagen fibrils, most collagen fibrils appeared the same as normal controls.
Fukuchi
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan.
Abe
H
H
Sawaguchi
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012590:Sclera / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D003094:Collagen