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The ring of Soemmerring in the rabbit: A scanning electron microscopic study
Summary
Rabbit lens remnants after surgery form Soemmerring's ring. Epithelial cells divide and differentiate, forming new fibers that degenerate, contributing to after-cataract development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Extracapsular lens extraction can lead to after-cataract formation.
- Soemmerring's ring, a remnant after surgery, plays a role in this process.
- Understanding the ultrastructure of Soemmerring's ring is crucial for managing post-operative complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the scanning ultrastructure of Soemmerring's ring in rabbit eyes after extracapsular lens extraction.
- To elucidate the cellular and structural changes within the lens remnants.
- To correlate these findings with the development of after-cataract.
Main Methods:
- Extracapsular lens extraction performed on 25 rabbit eyes.
- Biomicroscopic examination to monitor after-cataract development.
- Enucleation and subsequent light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy of Soemmerring's ring.
Main Results:
- Soemmerring's ring comprises fused anterior and posterior lens capsules enclosing equatorial remnants.
- Capsules were thickened; epithelial cells were vacuolized and irregularly arranged.
- The ring's interior contained normal, degenerated fibers, and amorphous masses; epithelial cell islands were observed.
- Newly formed fibers were pushed centrally and appeared to degenerate.
Conclusions:
- Epithelial cells within Soemmerring's ring retain proliferative and differentiation capacities.
- Degeneration of newly formed fibers contributes to after-cataract.
- The study provides detailed ultrastructural insights into lens remnant behavior post-surgery.