Abstract
Reversible corneal exposure cataracts have been observed in many rodents. The postulated mechanism has been one of transcorneal evaporation of water increasing the concentration of the aqueous and osmotically affecting the lens. In this experiment, changes in the colligative properties of hamster aqueous were measured as related to corneal exposure and the development of lens opacity. A rise of sodium concentration of aqueous was found to parallel the appearance and progression of lens opacity.