The ultrastructure of the lens capsule abnormalities in Alport's syndrome

The ultrastructure of lens capsule abnormalities in Alport's syndrome is reported. An anterior lens capsule from a 29-year-old patient with lenticonus who was affected by Alport's syndrome was obtained at the time of surgery. The histopathologic findings showed the thickness of the anterior lens capsule was decreased and there were many vertical capsular dehiscences localized at the inner part of the lens capsule. Almost every dehiscence was limited to the inner two thirds of the capsule. One should be cautious in attempting intraocular lens implantation into the lens capsule of patients with Alport's syndrome, because the lens capsule may be fragile in this disease. Jpn J Ophthalmol 1998;42:401-405 (C) 1998 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.