Native Lenses
A human lens submitted to the Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory is generally the result of either a planned intracapsular cataract, planned extracapsular cataract without phacoemulsification, displacement of the lens posteriorly through a ruptured capsule, or complete zonular dehiscence posterior displacement.
In the later instance, one must also consider the reason for the surgery, obtain clinical information to consider the diagnoses with weak, ruptured, or diseased zonular fibers. A history of trauma, metabolic abnormality such as Marfan's syndrome, or pseudoexfoliation syndrome should be actively sought. A careful gross examination should be performed to find correlative abnormalities. Microscopic examination can be performed to attempt a more definite diagnosis.
Don't assume that native lenses are "gross only" specimens.
In the later instance, one must also consider the reason for the surgery, obtain clinical information to consider the diagnoses with weak, ruptured, or diseased zonular fibers. A history of trauma, metabolic abnormality such as Marfan's syndrome, or pseudoexfoliation syndrome should be actively sought. A careful gross examination should be performed to find correlative abnormalities. Microscopic examination can be performed to attempt a more definite diagnosis.
Don't assume that native lenses are "gross only" specimens.
