Ultrastructure of Posterior Subcapsular Cataract in Human Lens

Abstract

In 20 eyes with posterior subcapsular cataract, ultrastructural changes were observed in the capsule and the subcapsular cortex. In 13 eyes, lens fibers of the subcapsular cortex were markedly swollen and liquefied, and contained granules of various sizes. In 4 eyes, various vacuoles or wide separations of the cell membrane were seen. In 3 eyes, the lens fibers became narrow and showed high electron density. The structure of human posterior subcapsular cataract affects the operation for posterior subcapsular cataract. In 1 case of posterior subcapsular cataract, a lamellar structure containing fine fibrils was observed in the deep layer of the posterior capsule and the epithelial cells which had a long nucleus and poor cytoplasm were scattered just under the posterior capsule. It is considered that these changes in the cells indicated a reduction of cellular function.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in human lens epithelial cells of cortical, posterior subcapsular, and nuclear cataracts

“…Ultrastructural studies have suggested that the evolution of PSC is associated with fiber swelling and breakdown, which in turn is accompanied by the formation of a complex and peculiar membrane structure [1]. …”

Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression in Human Lens Epithelial Cells After Corticosteroid Exposure

“…In the cells exposed to lower concentrations or in unexposed cells, no multilayering was evident. The appearance of multilayered HLEC after dexamethasone exposure is indicative of a dysregulation of proliferation, differentiation or migration of the cells, all of which have been discussed as pathogenic mechanisms behind PSC formation [36, 37]. Since there is a direct link between the prolonged use of steroids and this particular type of cataract, the present findings are of great importance for elucidating the mechanism behind cortisone cataract.…”

Effects of Fuchs uveitis syndrome on the ultrastructure of the anterior lens epithelium: A transmission electron microscopic study

“…In another study, Nagata et al . [ 30 ] investigated the ultrastructure of twenty eyes with PSC and revealed the following changes: markedly swollen and liquefied lens fibers of the subcapsular cortex with various sized granules in 13 eyes, various vacuoles or wide separations of the cell membrane in four eyes, and high electron density narrow lens fibers in three eyes. In addition, Greiner and Cyclack[ 31 ] evaluated the histopathological features of anterior, equatorial, and posterior regions of five steroid-associated cataracts.…”