Abstract:【Objective】 To evaluate the differences in the ultrastructure and Senescence β-Galactosidase of trabecular meshwork between the patients with POAG and normal controls. 【Methods】 Trabecular meshworks from 10 eyes with POAG and 10 normal eyes were taken. Normal human eyes were obtained from the Eye Bank in Guangdong Province. The ages of the normal donors mean as 36.90 ± 10.10 years old. The trabecular meshworks specimens from patients with POAG (39.80 ± 11.64 years old) were obtained by standard trabeculectomy for therapeutic purposes. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of the trabecular meshwoks. Senescence β-Galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining was used to evaluate the senescence of trabecular meshworks of the patients with POAG and normal controls. 【Results】 Intact membranes

centered and homogeneous nucleus were shown in the trabecular meshwork cells of the normal control. Moreover

normal-shaped centrosome

mitochondria

and lysosome could be seen in the cytoplasm. The basement membranes were unbroken. The elastic fibers were surrounded with thin sheath. The collagen fibrils were ranged in bunch. And the Schlemm canals were open. Compared to trabecular meshworks in normal control

the trabecular meshworks of the patients with POAG showed more pyknotic nuclei

hyperchromatism

more disordered collagen fibers and elastic fibers. In addition

vacuolar degeneration and strait Schlemm canals could be detected. The SA-β-Gal staining exhibited that there were more positive staining in the trabecular meshworks of the patients with POAG than those of normal control (P = 0.000). 【Conclusion】 The trabecular meshworks of the patients with POAG demonstrated more severe damage in ultrastructure and more positive results in SA-β-Gal staining

which suggested apparent signs of premature senescence in the trabecular meshworks of the patients with POAG.