Electron microscopy of the senile changes in lens epithelium

Lens epithelia obtained from 37 patients who had undergone cataract surgery operation were examined by using transmission electron microscope. Their ages varied between 60-79 years and mean age was 70.2 years. Additionally, the lens epithelia of 14 patients, which were obtained in the same way were examined by using scanning electron microscope. Their ages varied between 58-78 years and mean age 70.7 years. In transmission electron microscopy, the normal appearing epithelial cells were intermingled with abnormals and the abnormal cells increased in number and in degree of abnormality with aging. The three dimensional structure of the interdigitating interlocking processes of lens cuboidal cells were visualised by using scanning electron microscope.