Electron microscopic study of galactose-induced cataract.

Abstract

Cataractous lenses induced by galactose feeding were studied electron microscopically. The early changes were increased reactivity of the epithelium, edema of the lens cells, and intercellular cyst formation in the bow and posterior zones. These changes continued with further feeding of galactose until the lens cells became irreversibly damaged. The reactive epithelial cells formed marked cell proliferations.