Comparison of Lens Capsule Thickness in Rhesus and Cynomolgus Monkeys Versus Human by Digital Light Microscopy

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:In a previous study, human and cynomolgus lens capsule thickness measurements were found to be similar (ARVO poster 249, Program Summary Book p.10; 2003). The purpose of this study is to compare the lens capsule thickness of the rhesus monkey versus the human and cynomolgus monkey data. Methods: 10 rhesus lenses were explanted from cadaver eyes and were held in custom–made devices to protect the capsule during the dehydration process. The lenses were then mounted in another device to maintain its orientation, and embedded in paraffin. They were then microtomed into 3 µm thick sections, and placed onto slides for microscope analysis. Periodic Acid–Schiff (PAS) stain was used to enhance the lens capsule appearance. Digital images of the lenses’ anterior, peripheral, and posterior capsule chambers were taken at 40X magnification, scaled to a ruler in the image, and photographs were measured using a computer graphics program. Measurement results were compared to 16 human lenses and 14 cynomolgus lenses. Results: Capsule thickness and p–values are shown in the following tables: 

Conclusion: Rhesus monkey lenses were 2–3 µm thinner than the human and cynomolgus in 3 locations of the lens capsule. CR: None Support: NIH Grant#EY14225–01; Vision CRC, Sydney, Australia; Florida Lions Eye Bank; Henri and Flore Lesieur Foundation; Research to Prevent Blindness.

Keywords: none