A method of isolating and collecting pseudo-exfoliation material from extracted cataractous lenses

It has been observed that the pseudo-exfoliation (PE) material on the surface of extracted lenses was not dissolved by a papain solution, while the underlying lens capsule was digested. This forms the basis of a method for isolating and collecting PE material. The anterior lens surface was swept with a cilium after the lens had been suspended in a 5% papain solution for 1/2-1 hour. The PE material was loosened in flakes which adhered to the tip of the cilium and could be collected as a lump. By light and scanning and transmission electron microscopy no contaminants could be seen, and no damage to the PE material was disclosed.