Abstract
As reported previously, captopril has an antihypertensive effect and suppresses the appearance and progression of sclerotic changes in the retinal arteriolar wall. This effect of captopril are probably brought by decrease of peripheral vascular resistance (Acta Soc. Ophthalmol. Jpn. 86: 227-238, 1982). Vascular lesions caused by sustained hypertension have been also confirmed in the tributaries of long posterior ciliary artery in SHRSP rats (Folia ophthalmol. Jpn. 30: 1907-1918, 1979).
The present study revealed that degenerative lesions occurred in the epithelia and blood vessels of ciliary body which has been thought to be responsible for the production of aqueous humor and for the nutrition of the crystalline lens. The lesions were more severe in the animal of poor controlled high blood pressure, at least in SHRSP, in accordance with the severity of cataract.
The lesions found in the ciliary body of SHRSP were probably induced by a damage of aqueous barrier following tissue ischemia as the hypertensive complication in the tributaries of long posterior ciliary artery. These findings might be a clue for the resolution of pathogenesis of human senile cataract.
