Role of lensectomy and posterior capsule in movement of tracers from vitreous to aqueous.

The rate of movement of 20,000- and 70,000-dalton dextran from vitreous to aqueous was determined after extracapsular lensectomy in rabbits with an intact posterior capsule. Dextran was injected into the vitreous, and 3.5 hours later the aqueous concentration of 20,000-dalton dextran was 10.3-fold greater in the aphakic than the phakic eye. The aqueous concentration of the 70,000-dalton dextran was 3.9-fold greater in the aphakic eye after 3.5 hours. Thus, extracapsular lensectomy with an intact posterior capsule increases the rate of movement of 20,000- and 70,000-dalton dextran from the vitreous to the anterior chamber. In addition, the movement of tracers from vitreous to aqueous is increased further when the posterior capsule is opened.