Microscopic-cytologic investigations on explanted intraocular lenses.

Nine iris supported anterior chamber lenses were removed during keratoplasty, eight of them on account of bullous pseudophakic keratopathy. They were examined cytologically according to the method of WOLTER. No one revealed a complete cellular--membraneous capsule. This membrane has with great probability a protective function. Four basic types of cells could be characterized. All cells of the borders of the eye chambers are involved but predominantly mobile and sessile macrophages are the source of the covering cells. The cellularity depends on the type of the lens and the material of the lens and on the clinical picture of the disease. Supramid is worse than prolene. Dangerous are pseudophakodonesis and endothelial contact.