Two Components in the Development of Ray Cataract in Frogs

Abstract

RECENTLY it has been shown in our laboratory that any intra-ocular operation on irradiated tadpoles seemed to result in the development of a ray cataract¹. Later on, the same results were obtained in adult frogs and mice as well, in which an accelerated development of the aforementioned disease was also brought about by a fine pricking of the irradiated lens^2–4. At the same time, judging by long-term observations on irradiated tadpoles and frogs, even a very heavy irradiation without subsequent operative intervention affects neither the transparency nor the structure of lenses. The experiments described here suggested to us that a direct relation existed between the degree of irradiation of the eye prior to operation and completeness of the opacity of the lens. Therefore, the question arose as to which doses of ionizing radiation—extreme, minimal, and maximal, combined with operative interference—provoked an accelerated development of the ray cataract.