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.
there are no clear differences in the trabecular system between the 2 groups;
-
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.
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).
Berghout, E. Onchocerciasis and glaucoma in the forest area of Ghana. Trop. Geogr. Med. 25: 233–237 (1973).
Buck, A.A. (ed.). Onchocerciasis. Geneva, World Health Organization, 1974.
Chandler, A.C. & Read, C.P. Introduction to Parasitology, 10th ed. London, Wiley, 1961.
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).
Garner, A. Pathology of ocular onchocerciasis: human and experimental. Trans. Roy. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 70: 374–377 (1976).
Herschler, J. Modifications in glaucoma sugery based on inhibitory properties of aqueous humor. Docum. Ophthal. Proc. Ser. 22: 373–376 (1980).
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).
Hollwich, F. Sclero-corneal trephining (Elliot's operation). Docum. Ophthal. Proc. Ser. 7: 245–250 (1976).
Kietzman, B. Glaucoma surgery in Nigerian eyes: a five year study. Ophthal. Surg. 7: 52–58 (1976).
Paul, E.V. & Zimmerman, L.E. Some observations on the ocular pathology of onchocerciasis. Human Path. 1: 581–594 (1970).
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).
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.
Rodger, F.C. The pathogenesis and pathology of ocular onchocerciasis. IV. The pathology. Amer. J. Ophthal. 49: 560–594 (1960).
Rodrigues, M.M., Spaeth, G.L., Sivalingam, E. & Weinreb, S. Value of trabeculectomy specimens in glaucoma. Ophthal. Surg. 9: 29–38 (1978).
Sandford-Smith, J.H. The surgical treatment of open-angle glaucoma in Nigerians. Brit. J. Ophthal. 62: 283–286 (1978).
Sira, I.B. & Ticho, U. Excision of Tenon's capsule in fistulizing operations on Africans. Amer. J. Ophthal. 68: 336–340 (1969).
Stilma, J.S. Subscleral trepanation in the treatment of glaucoma. Docum. Ophthal. 44: 121–126 (1977).
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).
Tønjum, A.M. & Thylefors, B. Aspects of corneal changes in onchocerciasis. Brit. J. Ophthal. 62: 458–461 (1978).
Yanoff, M. & Fine, B.S. Ocular pathology. Hagerstown, Harper & Row, 1975.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00158017