86-Rb efflux in normal and cataractous human lenses

86Rb efflux has been studied in normal lenses and in human senile cataracts. The rate constant (Ki) of the efflux gradually increases in cataractous lenses with progression of lens damage. Efflux experiments run in the presence of BaC12 suggest that a progressive activation of BaC12 inhibitable efflux routes occurs in cataractous lenses. In the final stages of opacification the ineffectiveness of BaC12 enriched or Ca++ free media on the efflux suggests that a direct disruption of the lens membranes has occurred.