POSTERIOR LENS RUPTURE IN RATS

Rupture of the posterior lens capsule with extrusion of lens fibers or entire lens cortex and nucleus was found in Sprague-Dawley rats. The lesion was detected during an ophthalmoscopic examination as round sha dows that interfered with the view of the fundus. By slit-lamp biomicr oscopic and dissecting microscopic examinations, the shadows were rela ted to opaque plaques located on the posterior capsule. By light micro scopic examination, the posterior lens capsule was ruptured and lens f ibers extruded into the vitreous. Mononuclear and multinucleared giant cells were present at the site of rupture, however, few other inflamm atory responses were present. Although the incidence and pathogenesis of the lesion is unknown, the lesion should be considered along with o ther spontaneous ocular changes when evaluating safety assessment stud ies.