A method of isolating and collecting pseudo-exfoliation material from extracted cataractous lenses.
It has been observed that the pseudo-exfoliation (PE) material on the surface of extracted lenses was not dissolved by a papain solution, while the underlying lens capsule was digested. This forms the basis of a method for isolating and collecting PE material. The anterior lens surface was swept with a cilium after the lens had been suspended in a 5% papain solution for 1/2-1 hour. The PE material was loosened in flakes which adhered to the tip of the cilium and could be collected as a lump. By light and scanning and transmission electron microscopy no contaminants could be seen, and no damage to the PE material was disclosed.
D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010206:Papain / Q000494:pharmacology; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods
D010206:Papain