Protein and electrolyte alterations in human senile cataract.

Water content, wet and dry weights of the crystalline lens, and protein, free amino acid and electrolyte levels in serum, aqueous humour and lens were determined in patients with nuclear senile cataract and at the different stages of the maturation of cortical cataract. In immature senile cortical cataract wet weight and sodium contents of the lens were significantly higher while potassium levels were low when compared with the nuclear cataract. With the maturation of cortical cataract water content, wet weight and sodium concentrations of the crystalline lens significantly increased while protein, free amino acid and potassium levels decreased. The possible role of these changes in various types of cataracts is discussed.