Electron Microscopic Study of Pseudo-exfoliation of the Lens Capsule. I. Lens Capsule and Zonular Fibers.

Considerable controversy has arisen as to the nature and origin of the blue-gray flecks seen in the anterior segment of the eye in so-called pseudo-exfoliation of the lens capsule. An electron microscopic study has been carried out in an attempt to clarify this problem and Part I of this work deals with the findings in the lens and lens capsule. The filamentous nature of the deposit is confirmed and its ultrastructure further defined, but its exact chemical composition could not be identified. Exfoliative material was demonstrated directly upon the lens capsule and also within its substance, particularly at the anterior equatorial region. In this region also a new discovery is reported, namely, the presence within the inner half of the lens capsule proper of a degenerative band, apparently containing exfoliative material. Reasons are given for believing this band to be a characteristic feature of pseudo-exfoliation. The lens epithelium was normal and there is insufficient evidence to incriminate the zonular lamella or the zonular fibers as a source of the exfoliative material. It is concluded, however, that the lens capsi.de is undoubtedly involved in pseudo-exfoliation.