Analysis of Relationship Between Maturity of Cataract and Size of Lens Epithelial Cells

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between the progression of a cataract and the size or cell population density of its lens epithelial cells (LEC) in canines. The middle fraction of the cell size observed in normal dogs and in dogs with mature and hypermature cataracts was 210-230 μm², 250-270μm², and 270-290 μm², respectively. The cell population density was 3954 ± 260 cells/mm²and 3130 ± 195 cells/mm², respectively. Mature cataracts accounted for 85% and hypermature cataracts for 67% compared with the normal. It was speculated that as cataracts progressed, cell volume varied markedly and cell size or cell volume increased while cell population density decreased.