Ultrastructural investigation of extracellular structures in subcapsular white corrugated cataract (anterior capsular cataract)

Electron microscopic investigations were performed on six extracted lenses from patients undergoing operative treatment of subcapsular white corrugated cataract. The lens capsule itself was unaltered. There was a pronounced extracellular space under the capsule. In this area collagenous aggregations equivalent in size to collagenous fibres and fibrils could be seen. Collagenous microfibrils and delicate microfilaments were also present. The latter could be observed with and without cross-striations. The fibrous structures are distinguished by considerable variations in shape and diameter. The precursor stages of these fibrous materials are produced by myofibroblast-like cells, probably derived from the lenticular epithelium.