J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2017 Aug;58(8):924-929. 10.3341/jkos.2017.58.8.924.

A Comparative Histopathological Study of Lens Capsule and Epithelial Cells in Various Types of Cataract

• Park YM
• Park BG
• Lee IH
• Lee JS

• KMID: 2388180
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2017.58.8.924

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the histopathological changes of anterior capsule and lens epithelial cells in various types of cataract.
METHODS
Patients scheduled for cataract surgery of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation were enrolled in this study. Anterior capsule tissues sized 5 mm were obtained at the time of continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis during surgery. Histological examination of the obtained tissue was performed by transmission electron microscope.
RESULTS
Nuclear cataract showed a uniform cuboidal monolayer of epithelial cells firmly attached to the anterior capsule. But, the mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum were damaged and replaced with vacuoles. Anterior subcapsular cataract showed multilayers of epithelial cells with irregular intracellular structures. Epithelial cells of mature cataract were severely damaged and detached from the anterior capsule, accompanied by expansion of intra-cellular space and a large amount of vacuoles. Epithelial cells were irregular and severely damaged, and intracellular structures were hardly observed in traumatic cataract. Deposition of pseudoexfoliation materials on the anterior capsule was observed in pseudoexfoliation cataract.
CONCLUSIONS
Changes in epithelial cells caused by fluid accumulation and electrolyte imbalance in the lens attributes more to cataract formation than do changes the in lens capsule.

Keyword

Anterior capsule; Cataract; Lens epithelial cell; Transmission electron microscope

MeSH Terms

Capsulorhexis
Cataract*
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Epithelial Cells*
Golgi Apparatus
Humans
Lens Implantation, Intraocular
Mitochondria
Phacoemulsification
Vacuoles

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Transmission electron microscopy findings of normal lens. Uniform cuboidal monolayer epithelial cells are firmly attached to the anterior capsule (C). Regularly round shaped nucleus (N) with mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum is observed in the cytoplasm (arrows).

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  Figure 2 Transmission electron microscopy findings of nuclear cataract. Uniform cuboidal monolayer epithelial cells are firmly attached to the anterior capsule (C). Although nucleus (N) showing regular round shape, mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum are damaged and replaced with vacuoles (arrows).

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  Figure 3 Transmission electron microscopy findings of anterior subcapsular cataract. Epithelial cells are elongated and are showing multilayer form interrupted by lens fibers. Nucleus (N) shows irregularity. Mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum are damaged and hard to observe. C = anterior capsule.

• 

  Figure 4 Transmission electron microscopy findings of mature cataract. Epithelial cells are severely damage and detached from the anterior capsule (C) followed by expansion of intra-cellular space and large amount of vacuoles (V) accumulation. Nucleus, Mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum are damaged and hard to observe.

• 

  Figure 5 Transmission electron microscopy findings of traumatic cataract. Epithelial cells are showing its irregularity and severely damaged and also hard to observe. Nucleus, Mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum are also damaged and hard to observe. C = anterior capsule.

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  Figure 6 Transmission electron microscopy findings of pseudoexfoliation cataract. Uniform cuboidal monolayer epithelial cells are firmly attached to the anterior capsule (C). Regularly round shaped nucleus (N) with mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum are observed in the cytoplasm (arrow). Pseudoexfoliation material deposition is observed on the anterior capsule (*).

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