Posters

Ultrastructural study of the anterior lens capsule in patients with age-related cataract

Poster Details

First Author: M.Manthou GREECE

Co Author(s):    K. Sorkou   K. Tsaousis   A. Gkartzonikas   M. Dermenoudi   S. Dimitrakos   I. Tsinopoulos

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of this study is to examine, via electron microscopy, the anterior lens capsule of patients with age-related cataract in Greek population.

Setting:

2nd Department of Ophthalmology - Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

Methods:

Eleven patients with age-related cataract, older than 60 years, were included in the study. Anterior capsules were obtained from patients during phacoemulsification, applying continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and then were examined by transmission electron microscope.

Results:

The examination revealed degenerative changes of the lens epithelium in all of the patients. Diffuse intracellular, as well as extracellular οedema, were noticed in a varying degree. Degenerative vesicles were also found and the epithelial cells often exhibited a loose connection amongst themselves or with the basement membrane. Often, there was more than one layer of cells, giving the impression that healthier cells tried to cover neighboring cells presenting with extensive damage, maybe in an attempt to compensate. The presence of apoptotic cells was a common finding in all the samples.

Conclusions:

The description of these lens epithelia as observed in this study, with the extensive changes and degeneration, is a lot different from what is described in the literature and is referred to as normal epithelium. The findings in all the patients were not associated with a medical history, known to be etiologically connected with these kind of alterations, such as diabetes mellitus. It seems that either the cause or the result of these damages could be connected to the age-related cataract. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE FINANCIAL DISCLOUSRE: NONE