title: Histological and biochemical findings in membranous cataract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this report we present a patient with unilateral membranous cataract and describe the histological and biochemical findings accompanying this rare condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient underwent an uneventful cataract extraction. Aqueous humor (20 μl) was aspirated from the anterior chamber intraoperatively and processed for fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) using an immunoassay method (ELISA). The lens material was subjected to histological examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient had increased levels of FGF and EGF in the aqueous humor, as measured by ELISA. Histological examination of the lens material showed a marked fibrous metaplasia and thickening of the anterior lens capsule, while the lens epithelial cells were transformed to active myofibroblasts which generated a fibrous matrix of collagen lamellae. Unfortunately, visual function was not restored postoperatively due to underlying amblyopia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our histological and biochemical findings suggest that FGF and EGF may play a key role in the formation of membranous cataract, and therefore their impact on lens physiology should be further investigated.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany. zisis.gkatzioufas@uniklinikum-saarland.de
authors: Zisis
authors: Z
authors: Gatzioufas
authors: Cord R
authors: CR
authors: Huchzermeyer
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Hasenfus
authors: Moatasem
authors: M
authors: El-Husseiny
authors: Berthold
authors: B
authors: Seitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D002386:Cataract / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor