AIM: To observe the change of lens antioxidant enzyme activity after glaucoma trabecular resection.

METHODS: Thirty-two eyes of sixteen New-Zealand rabbits(2.2-2.4kg)were divided into two groups. The left eyes of rabbits underwent standard glaucoma trabecular resection were treatment group, and the normal right eyes served as controls. Transparency of lenses was monitored by a slit-lamp biomicroscopy before and after glaucoma trabecular resection. The morphology of lens cells was observed under the light microscope.The activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase,catalase(CAT), glutathion peroxidase(GSH-px), glutathione reductase(GR), superoxide dismutase(SOD)and content of malondialdehyde(MDA)in lenses were detected six months after trabecular resection.

RESULTS: Lenses were clear in both treatment group and normal control group during the six months after operation. The morphology and structure of lens cells were normal under the light microscope in both operation group and normal group. The activity of lens cells antioxidant enzyme activity were significantly decreased in operation group compared with control group, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase declined by 20.97%, CAT declined by 16.36%, SOD declined by 4.46%, GR declined by 4.85%, GSH-px declined by 10.02%, and MDA increased by 16.31%.

CONCLUSION: Glaucoma trabecular resection can induce the change of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, CAT, GSH-px, GR, SOD and MDA in lens of rabbit. Glaucoma filtration surgery for the occurrence of cataract development mechanism has important guiding significance.