Cytological Features Of The Bulbar Conjunctiva In Patients With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

To evaluate the condition of the bulbar conjunctiva in glaucoma patients receiving medical treatments

National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya

The study included 2 groups: the main (n = 40) - patients with glaucoma and DED (age - 63.8±6.7 years) and the control (n = 10) - (age = 67.9±8.9 years). Patients in the main group were divided into 2 groups depending on the experience of glaucoma: 1 - patients (20), who have glaucoma >5 years, 2 (20) -<5 years. Also, patients in the main group were divided into 2 groups depending on the number of drugs: a (20) - one drug, b (20) - 2 or more drugs. An impression cytological examination of the temporal area of the bulbar conjunctiva of one eye of each patient was performed.

According to OSDI, all glaucoma patients had dry eye symptoms (scores were 15 and more). Morphological and morphometric examination of the bulbar conjunctiva showed significant differences between the main and experimental groups. Subgroup 1 showed the presence of grade I metaplasia by Nelson's classification in 40%, grade II - in 60% of patients. In subgroup 2, grade II was observed in 60%, grade III in 30% of patients (p-0.02).

In subgroup a, II degree of metaplasia was observed in 60%, III degree - in 20%. In subgroup b - II degree was - in 60%, III degree - in 10% (p-0.01). 

The method of impression cytological examination allowed to determine changes in the epithelium of the bulbar conjunctiva in patients with open-angle glaucoma, which were manifested in most cases by squamous cell metaplasia of II-III degree (60%) according to Nelson's classification.