Decompression and occurrence of cataract in enucleated eyes of experimental animals

Chamber flight at a simulated altitude of 58,000 ft (17,680 m) or more caused marked lens opacities in enucleated eyes of the experimental animals. After descent to ground level, the opacity could subsequently be regressed despite complete deprivation of blood supply to the eye. The present finding suggests that decompression might play an important role in inducing such a cataract.