Acute reversible lens opacity: Fine structure changes

Acute reversible lens opacities were produced in anesthetized or postmortem hamsters by taping the eyelids open. Light microscopic observations of the cataractous lenses revealed no change. Only the anterior surface lens cells exhibited electron microscopic alterations, which included a swelling of the cellular and nuclear membranes and a corresponding condensation of cytoplasmic contents. Postmortem lens opacity changes were found only in the epithelial cells, and extensive dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum was observed. These changes are consistent with an acute increase in the ion content in the anterior chamber.