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Park, Park, Lee, and Lee: A Comparative Histopathological Study of Lens Capsule and Epithelial Cells in Various Types of Cataract
Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2017; 58(8): 924-929.

Published online: 16 August 2017

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2017.58.8.924

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

Young Min Park, MD1, 2, Byung Gun Park, MD3, In Ho Lee, MD4, Jong Soo Lee, MD, PhD4

1Department of Ophthalmology, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.

2Department of Ophthalmology, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital, Changwon, Korea.

3Department of Ophthalmology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.

4Department of Ophthalmology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Jong Soo Lee, MD, PhD. Department of Ophthalmology, Pusan National University Hospital, #179 Gudeok-ro, Seo-gu, Busan 49241, Korea. Tel: 82-51-240-7321, Fax: 82-51-240-7341, jongsool@pusan.ac.kr

Received 1 June 2017       Revised 14 July 2017       Accepted 28 July 2017

©2017 The Korean Ophthalmological Society

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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.

Keywords: Anterior capsule, Cataract, Lens epithelial cell, Transmission electron microscope

Figures and Tables

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.

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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.

jkos-58-924-g004
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 (*).

jkos-58-924-g006

Notes

Conflicts of Interest The authors have no conflicts to disclose.

This research was supported by a grant from University Research Park Project of Busan National University funded by Busan Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning.

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