Human Senile Cataract

Abstract

Light- and electron-microscopic studies of human senile cataractous lenses with and without biomicroscopically detectable anterior capsular/subcapsular opacity (ACSCO) revealed the main difference between the two types of cataract to be in the subepithelial cortex, where ACSCO lenses showed disintegrating cortex fibres, fibres of the deep cortical type and even in some cases collapsed fibres. These findings were considered to be associated with the decomposition and disappearance of the superficial cortex in ACSCO lenses. Numerous mitochondria in the epithelium of ACSCO lenses point towards a high oxidative metabolism, which may facilitate active transport across the epithelium. No difference in capsular surface morphology between cataractous lenses with and without ACSCO was found by scanning electron microscopy. Transmission electron microscopy showed in both categories of lenses granular inclusions in the capsules, most pronounced in totally opaque lenses. Large intercellular vacuoles were seen in the anterior part of the epithelium, both light- and electron-microscopically in both categories. Consequently, these ultrastructural changes do not seem to form part of the biomicroscopical picture of ACSCO. Based on our study, we prefer the term: ASCO (anterior subcapsular opacity) in place of ACSCO, the latter term having been used by us previously.

Lens Epithelial Surface Disorders in Exfoliation Syndrome: A Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy Study

“…In our specimens the structures were usually situated in a higher level than the epithelial cells, which seemed intact, weakening this possibility. The structures also reminded us of the globules described by Jensen and Laursen [33] in the lens cortex, often on the epitheliocortical borders, which were related to degeneration of the fibers. Such globular formations are reported to appear when fiber degeneration occurs [34].…”

“…We can therefore suggest that the described material, or maybe part of it, arises from the lens epithelium. On the other hand, it should be considered that lens fiber remnants and degeneration have also been reported in SEM studies [33, 30]. The membranous structures, the larger, electron-denser formations, and the microgranular and crystalline-like material observed each exhibited a different electron density.…”

Severe Abnormalities of Lens Epithelial Cells in Exfoliation Syndrome: A Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of Patients with Age-Related Cataract

“…The lens capsule in senile cataract lenses is sometimes described as similar to that found in normal lenses [34], but this is not typical. In 1980, Jensen and Laursen reported the presence of intercellular and intracellular vacuoles in lens epithelium insenile cataracts [6]. Nuclei appearing with irregular shapes due to compression of epithelial vacuoles have been described previously [6,35,36,37].…”

“…In 1980, Jensen and Laursen reported the presence of intercellular and intracellular vacuoles in lens epithelium insenile cataracts [6]. Nuclei appearing with irregular shapes due to compression of epithelial vacuoles have been described previously [6,35,36,37]. Exo- or endocytotic vesicles were found adjacent to the capsular cells and at the cortical side of the epithelial cells [38].…”

“…They are cuboidal with round nuclei and have smooth surfaces under the capsule and over the underlying lens fibers [5]. Only a few studies have focused exclusively on the description of lens epithelium in senile cataracts with use of a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and none of them wererecent [6,7]. Mostly, anterior lens capsules of age-related cataract patients constitute the control group in TEM studies, which investigate other pathologies [8,9,10].…”