Immunohistochemical characteristics of the vitreolenticular interface in congenital unilateral posterior cataract.

Purpose: To gain insight into the histology of the vitreolenticular interface in congenital unilateral posterior cataract.

Setting: Antwerp University Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, Edegem, and the University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium.

Design: Prospective case study.

Methods: Samples of the posterior lens capsule of patients with congenital posterior cataract (including opaque plaque on the anterior and adhesion to the vitreous on the posterior surface) were collected during the posterior capsulorhexis procedure. Staining for collagen types II and IV was performed using indirect immunohistochemistry. Results were compared with those of control posterior lens capsules of 3 children and 3 adults.

Results: Samples were collected from 3 patients. All posterior lens capsules contained collagen type IV. Samples from congenital posterior cataract patients all showed a narrow band of collagen type II on the outer surface, indicating strong adherence of the anterior hyaloid membrane to the center of the posterior lens capsule. Surprisingly, collagen type II was also found in the posterior capsule plaques. Collagen type II was not found in any control posterior lens capsule.

Conclusion: The adherence of collagen type II to the center of the posterior lens capsule histologically supports the hypothesis that this subgroup of congenital cataract hints at an abnormality at the vitreolenticular interface.

Financial Disclosure: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.