From the Research
The most commonly used staining techniques for examining the trabecular meshwork include HE staining, VG staining, Masson staining, α-SMA immunohistochemistry, and CD31 immunohistochemistry, as these methods provide valuable information on the structure and composition of the trabecular meshwork. When examining the trabecular meshwork, various staining techniques can be employed to visualize its structure and identify potential abnormalities.
- HE staining is useful for general structure, as it stains the trabecular meshwork purplish red, similar to ciliary muscle fibers 1.
- VG staining reveals a pale red filamentous structure, while Masson staining shows a reticular structure consisting mainly of dark red fibers intermingled with thin green fibers 1.
- α-SMA immunohistochemistry is used to identify smooth muscle fibers, which are present in the trabecular meshwork, while CD31 immunohistochemistry is used to identify endothelial cells, which are not typically found in the trabecular meshwork 1. In addition to these staining techniques, other methods such as trypan blue, indocyanine green, and fluorescein can be used to visualize the trabecular meshwork during surgical procedures or to assess aqueous outflow 2, 3, 4. However, the most recent and highest quality study on this topic, published in 2018, highlights the importance of histopathologic examination of trabecular meshwork changes after trabecular bypass stent implantation, which can lead to inflammatory and fibrotic changes surrounding the device 5. Therefore, the choice of staining technique depends on the specific research question or clinical application, and a combination of methods may be necessary to fully understand the structure and function of the trabecular meshwork.