HUMAN CAPSULE EPITHELIAL-CELL DEGENERATION A LM, SEM AND TEM INVESTIGATION

The degeneration of the capsule epithelium of cataractous lenses has b een studied with LM, SEM on TEM with emphases on TEM. The observed deg eneration of the epithelial cells can be described as follows: The cel l nucleus becomes picnotic and desintegrates as result of change of th e chromatin. Degeneration of the cytoplasm starts with swelling of the mitochondria, coming into existence of filamentous networks and ballo on-like bulges of the nucleus. Repelling of the cell nucleus due to a porosity of the plasm membrane. Collapse of the cell due to degenerati on of the cell and loss of the cytoplasmic contents, leaving finally o nly a swollen framework of cell walls.