V 515
Quantification of aqueous melanin granules in patients with primary pigment dispersion syndrome
M. Küchle, N. X. Nguyen, C. Y. Mardin, P. Martus
Introduction: Intracameral melanin granules that are released from the iris pigment epithelium appear to play a major role in the pathogenesis of primary pigment dispersion syndrome. We analyzed a method that allows exact, reproducible, quantifying determination of aqueous melanin granules in patients.
Methods: Intracameral melanin granules were measured with the cell count mode of the laser flare-cell meter Kowa FC-1000. We examined 42 eyes of 21 patients with primary pigment dispersion syndrome and various stages of secondary open-angle glaucoma and 40 normal control eyes.
Results: Eyes with primary pigment dispersion syndrome showed significantly larger numbers of melanin granules (mean 2.9±3.7/0.075 mm3 aqueous) than normal control eyes (0.2±0.3, p=0.01). Following drug-induced pupillary dilation, the number of melanin granules approximately doubled in eyes with melanin dispersion syndrome (6.3±5.3). The number of melanin granules was significantly positively correlated with biomicroscopical signs of melanin dispersion, with actual intraocular pressure, and with glaucomatous visual field defects. Following treatment with miotics as well as following Nd:YAG laser iridotomy, the number of intracameral melanin granules decreased significantly.
Discussion: This method of noninvasive quantification allows reproducible measurement of aqueous melanin granules in patients. Thus, this method may shed more light on pathogenesis and effecivity of treatment options in primary pigment dispersion syndrome.
Augenklinik mit Poliklinik der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen
Supported by DFG (SFB 539)