title: Optic nerve hydropic axonal degeneration and blocked retrograde axoplasmic transport: histopathologic features in human high-pressure secondary glaucoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe histopathologic features of anterior optic nerves of 12 eyes enucleated for sustained high ocular pressure from iris-ciliary body melanomas in 10 and choroidal melanomas with chronic angle closure in 2.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, we analyzed cases indexed in 2 eye pathology laboratories and reviewed the pertinent literature. Cases were identified from diagnostic indexes; microscopic study of slides stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Verhoeff-van Gieson, Mallory trichrome, periodic acid-Schiff, alcian blue, or colloidal iron for acid mucopolysaccharide; review of available clinical documentation; and analysis of features and photography. The main outcome measures were description of optic nerve heads, prelaminar atrophy, laminar posterior bowing, locations and density of hydropic axonal degeneration, blocked retrograde axoplasmic transport, posterior atrophy, and optic nerve disorganization with glial proliferation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hydropic axonal degeneration was present in front of, within, and posterior to the lamina cribrosa in all 12 eyes. This degeneration extended diffusely and posteriorly from the peripheral lamina and was most dense centrally in 10 eyes. Retrolaminar changes compatible with blockage of retrograde axoplasmic transport were seen in 9 eyes. Posterior atrophy with disorganization and glial proliferation was seen in 10 eyes. No eye had classic glaucomatous atrophic cupping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diffuse and centrally intense hydropic axonal degeneration and central blocked retrograde axoplasmic transport explain loss of central acuity, generalized contraction of visual field, and generalized optic atrophy without glaucomatous cupping in eyes with prolonged high-pressure secondary glaucoma.
authors.affiliation: Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287-9013, USA. daknox@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.forename: Ralph C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Eagle
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D001370:Axonal Transport; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D015812:Glaucoma, Angle-Closure / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000473:pathology*; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000473:pathology; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000473:pathology; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014604:Uveal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D014792:Visual Acuity