[Ultrastructures of the capsule and subcapsular epithelium of the senile cataractous lens].

The capsule and subcapsular epithelium of 18 senile cataractous lenses and 2 normal lenses were studied by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The structures of the capsule and subcapsular epithelium in most senile cataractous lenses were similar to those in the normal lenses. Low electron density bands composed of tiny granular or fibrillar material deep in the posterior capsule were observed in 4 of the senile cataractous lenses. Degeneration was more marked in the subcapsular epithelial cells in some of the senile cataractous lenses.