PURPOSE: The purpose was to analyze the histological aspects of irises and trabeculums by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in patients who had or had not received latanoprost therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma were enrolled in the study. Four of them had been using latanoprost monotheraphy for 2 months. Iris samples were obtained by peripheral iridectomy. Trabeculum samples were obtained during the trabeculectomy without use of antimetabolites. The specimens were further processed for transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: There was extracellular pigmentation in the iris stroma in four patients treated with latanoprost, whereas in the control group there was no free melanin in the stroma. Intracellular pigment in fibroblasts, melanocytes, or both was present in all samples in the study group. More pigment accumulation was found in the trabecular endothelial cells of the patients who had received latanoprost therapy. CONCLUSION: Latanoprost therapy causes pigment accumulation in the iris and trabeculum of patients in short-term therapy.
PURPOSE: The purpose was to analyze the histological aspects of irises and trabeculums by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in patients who had or had not received latanoprost therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma were enrolled in the study. Four of them had been using latanoprost monotheraphy for 2 months. Iris samples were obtained by peripheral iridectomy. Trabeculum samples were obtained during the trabeculectomy without use of antimetabolites. The specimens were further processed for transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: There was extracellular pigmentation in the iris stroma in four patients treated with latanoprost, whereas in the control group there was no free melanin in the stroma. Intracellular pigment in fibroblasts, melanocytes, or both was present in all samples in the study group. More pigment accumulation was found in the trabecular endothelial cells of the patients who had received latanoprost therapy. CONCLUSION:Latanoprost therapy causes pigment accumulation in the iris and trabeculum of patients in short-term therapy.