Skip to main content
Log in

Onchocerciasis and glaucoma: Ophthalmo-pathological aspects of the Limbus and Tenon's capsule in 25 surgical patients from Ghana

  • Published:
Documenta Ophthalmologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In a group of 25 Ghanian patients on whom trepano-trabeculectomy was performed, 14 patients had glaucoma simplex and 11 patients had glaucoma and onchocerciasis.

Light-microscopical examination of tissue obtained at these operations showed:

  1. 1.

    there are no clear differences in the trabecular system between the 2 groups;

  2. 2.

    the post-trabecular outflow system is markedly abnormal in patients with glaucoma and onchocerciasis: there is infiltration round Schlemm's canal, the efferent veins and the vessels in Tenon's capsule. Microfilariae were also demonstrated in Tenon's capsule.

In the discussion the necessity for further study is stressed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson, J., Fuglsang H. & Bud, A.C. The morphology of posterior segment lesions of the eye in patients with onchocerciasis. Trans. Roy. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 70: 378–395 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  • Berghout, E. Onchocerciasis and glaucoma in the forest area of Ghana. Trop. Geogr. Med. 25: 233–237 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  • Buck, A.A. (ed.). Onchocerciasis. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandler, A.C. & Read, C.P. Introduction to Parasitology, 10th ed. London, Wiley, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhry, H.A., Dueker, D.K., Simmons, R.J., Bellows, A.R. & Grant, W.M. Scanning electron microscopy of trabeculectomy specimens in open-angle glaucoma. Amer. J. Ophthal. 88: 78–72 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  • Garner, A. Pathology of ocular onchocerciasis: human and experimental. Trans. Roy. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 70: 374–377 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  • Herschler, J. Modifications in glaucoma sugery based on inhibitory properties of aqueous humor. Docum. Ophthal. Proc. Ser. 22: 373–376 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hisette, J. Mémoire sur l'onchocerca volvulus ‘Leuckart’ et ses manifestations oculaires au Congo belge. Ann. Soc. Belge Med. Trop. 12: 433–529 (1932) after Buck (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollwich, F. Sclero-corneal trephining (Elliot's operation). Docum. Ophthal. Proc. Ser. 7: 245–250 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kietzman, B. Glaucoma surgery in Nigerian eyes: a five year study. Ophthal. Surg. 7: 52–58 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  • Paul, E.V. & Zimmerman, L.E. Some observations on the ocular pathology of onchocerciasis. Human Path. 1: 581–594 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Quéré, M.A., Razafiniato, R. & Diallo, J. Le traitment chirurgical du glaucome primitif chez les sujets de race noire. Ann. Oculist. 199: 379–392 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridley, H. Ocular onchocerciasis, including an investigation in the Gold coast. Brit. J. Ophthal. Suppl. X, 1945.

  • Rodger, F.C. Blindness in West-Africa. London, Lewis, 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodger, F.C. The pathogenesis and pathology of ocular onchocerciasis. IV. The pathology. Amer. J. Ophthal. 49: 560–594 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigues, M.M., Spaeth, G.L., Sivalingam, E. & Weinreb, S. Value of trabeculectomy specimens in glaucoma. Ophthal. Surg. 9: 29–38 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandford-Smith, J.H. The surgical treatment of open-angle glaucoma in Nigerians. Brit. J. Ophthal. 62: 283–286 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sira, I.B. & Ticho, U. Excision of Tenon's capsule in fistulizing operations on Africans. Amer. J. Ophthal. 68: 336–340 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stilma, J.S. Subscleral trepanation in the treatment of glaucoma. Docum. Ophthal. 44: 121–126 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stilma, J.S. Goniotrephining with scleral flap in the treatment of glaucoma. Thesis Amsterdam, 1978.

  • Thylefors, B. Intraocular pressure in onchocerciasis. Bull. WHO 54: 113–114 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  • Tønjum, A.M. & Thylefors, B. Aspects of corneal changes in onchocerciasis. Brit. J. Ophthal. 62: 458–461 (1978).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yanoff, M. & Fine, B.S. Ocular pathology. Hagerstown, Harper & Row, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stilma, J.S. Onchocerciasis and glaucoma: Ophthalmo-pathological aspects of the Limbus and Tenon's capsule in 25 surgical patients from Ghana. Doc Ophthalmol 50, 327–335 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00158017

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00158017

Keywords

Navigation