High number of mast cells might contribute to more conjunctival scarring after trabeculectomy

Eye. 2008. doi:10.1038/eye.2008-330.

The number of mast cells in glaucoma patients was significantly higher in those who had previous trabeculectomy than those who had not. This could possibly be associated with an increased risk of excessive conjunctival scarring after surgery.

Researchers conducted an exploratory study that looked at mast cells in the conjunctiva of glaucoma patients. The project examined conjunctival biopsies from four groups of patients: Six patients were in the medically treated glaucoma group, eight patients were in the repeat glaucoma surgery group, seven patients were in the uveitic glaucoma group, and eight patients were in a control group of retinal detachment patients having repair surgery for the first time.

The median mast cell tryptase-positive counts for all glaucoma groups ranged from 0.102 cells/mm² to 0.113 cells/mm² compared with 0.064 cells/mm² for the control group.

There was a statistically significant difference when comparing the surgery group and the control group (P = .0063), but this difference was not seen when comparing the uveitic group or medically treated group with the control group.

"The mast cell tryptase-positive counts did not significantly differ among the groups," the investigators said.