Morphological evaluation of the conjunctiva and the trabecular meshwork incubated with Proline-3H.

It is well known that the trabecular meshwork is a complex structure in the shape of collagen and like-elastic fibers dipped in amorfous matrix. Previous researches have been showed that in the glaucoma disease there is a sclerosis in the lamellae of the trabecular meshwork and an increase in extracellular material. In order to add informations to complex and highly organized trabecular meshwork and its role in the glaucoma disease, 12 surgical specimens of trabecular meshwork and conjunctival tissue from patients suffering from chronic simple glaucoma and undergone medical therapy have been examined. The fragments have been immediately incubated with Proline 3H for 45 minutes; after this period they have been fixed and included. The results have been showed the presence of the fibroblast cells engaged to pick up radioactive Proline. The collagen synthesis has been happened in the trabecular meshwork and in this study there is not demonstration of collagenic material coming from surrounding structures.