Histologic examination of dislocated lenses.

PURPOSE To examine histological changes resulting from dislocated and subluxated lenses. CASES The subjects consisted of 16 patients (aged 52-89 years) who underwent total lens extraction for lens dislocation or subluxation in the Department of Ophthalmology at Fukui Medical University during the period between April 1991 and June 1998. There were 5 patients (6 eyes) with traumatic dislocation and 11 patients (11 eyes) with idiopathic dislocation. RESULT Rupture of the cortical fibers and migration of the epithelial cells toward the posterior pole of the lens were more frequently noted in patients with traumatic dislocation than in the idiopathic group, and both findings were often simultaneously observed. Rupture of the cortical fibers was considered attributable to external pressure transmitted to the lens. CONCLUSION We speculate that the concurrent migration and dislocation of the equatorial bow architecture toward the posterior pole was caused by inhibition of differentiation of the epithelial cells to fiber cells by external pressure on the equatorial region.