Expression of inflammatory membrane markers by conjunctival cells in chronically treated patients with glaucoma.

Purpose: Recent histologic studies of conjunctival tissues in patients who have had long-term treatment for glaucoma have shown in situ an abnormal infiltration by inflammatory cells. In this study, conjunctival inflammatory antigens were investigated in impression cytology specimens from patients who have been and those who have not been treated for glaucoma.

Methods: This study included 107 eyes from 55 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Immunopathological findings in conjunctival cells using immunofluorescence staining of impression cytology specimens.

The conventional technique of impression cytology provides a non-invasive method for the evaluation of conjunctival epithelium alterations. Using indirect immunofluorescence procedures two inflammatory markers, class II MHC antigens HLA DR and the receptor to IgE (CD23), were sought in impression cytology specimens obtained from 80 patients. In normal subjects conjunctival epithelial cells did not show any reactivity.