LENSFIBRE DEGENERATION AT CATARACT LENSES - A LM, SEM AND TEM INVESTIGATION

The degeneration process of lensfibres in a cataractous lens, describe d as the biochemical changes of a part of the lensproteins, can be cha racterised morphorogically as follows: Emulsification of a part of the lensfibre-mass and the development of open spaces between the lensfib res with the formation of vacuoles (spherical structures) with a granu lar or a compact contents with high contrast, which is squeezed into t he intercellular space. Degeneration of the ball & socket system inter digitation and microvilli domain system and the formation of almost em pty rectangular structures in somewhat radial array. Balloon-like bulg ing of the cytoplasm of the lenscell, degeneration of the cytoplasm me mbrane and visualisation of a micro-filamentous network with enclosed cell organelles.