Ultrastructural cytochemistry of the ocular lens

Ultrastructural and cytochemical investigations of ocular lens have been difficult due to limited applicability of currently available techniques for the preparation of this tissue for such studies Several modifications in currently available techniques are being made in order to preserve the fine structure of the lens. In this report we present a modified method which provides good preservation of lens fine structure and allows cytochemical localization of enzymes in this tissue. Brief freezing permits preparation of thin slices of the lens which are subsequently incubated in the appropriate media for enzyme cytochemistry at an ultrastructural level. We have used this modified method for the localization of Na-K-dependent ATPase and the results are presented in this report.