ON THE COURSE OF RADIATION CATARACT IN THE SYMPATHECTOMIZED RABBIT EYE: A CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF UNILATERAL SPONTANEOUS CATARACT
To elucidate the role of sympathetic innervation on the development of cataracts, rabbits were submitted to rightsided section of the cervical sympathetic nerve and removal of the cervical ganliion. Both eyes were then x irradiated with 1500, 2500, or 3200 r, and eyes of nonoperated controls were irradiated with 1500 r. Examination of the eyes for periods up to 526 days after irradiation showed no differences, either in the time of appearance of cataract or its course of development, attributable to sympathectomy. After 1500 r the first sign of radiation injury to the lens was seen as small subcapsular vacuoles in the anterior cortex. Several weeks later vacuoles appeared in the posterior cortex and progressively spread until the entire lens became opaque. In some eyes the development of a severe ulcerative keratitis completely obscured changes in the lens, and with the higher x-ray doses it became more difficult to follow the stages of cataractogenesis. After 2500 and 3200 r the minimum time required for complete lenticular opacity was 156 days, in contrast to 242 days after 1500 r. The results show that radiation cataractogenesis, at least, is not influenced by sympathetic innervation. (H.H.D.)
- Research Organization:
- Universitats-Augenklinik, Heidelberg
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-021486
- OSTI ID:
- 4728092
- Journal Information:
- Arch. Ophthalmol., Vol. Vol: 162; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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