Segmental variability of the trabecular meshwork in normal and glaucomatous eyes.

Abstract

Significant segmental differences were not found within single eyes in either normal or glaucomatous eyes. The magnitude of the variability of most tissue components was similar for normal and glaucomatous eyes. The most variable component was the area of empty space touching Schlemm's canal, which may represent the effective pathway for aqueous flow to enter Schlemm's canal. Future quantitative studies of the JCT should include samples from at least three quadrants per eye. Quantitative analysis of the JCT from a single quadrant, as occurs in the study of trabeculectomy specimens, may overestimate or underestimate the amount of solid tissue or empty space by 200%.