Abstract
The invasion of large areas of the anterior lens capsule by epithelial cells occurs during regeneration of this basement membrane, in the 3 to 4 months after the capsule has been thinned by collagenase enzyme. The regenerated capsule in these areas is grossly abnormal; it contains up to 15 alternating layers of banded collagen and apparently normal capsular material. The epithelial cells within the laminated capsule, which may secrete the banded collagen, are fibroblast-like and may migrate from the lens epithelium. Banded collagen in the lens capsule has a much smaller periodicity (approximately 5.3nm) than that found in other parts of the eye and may be composed of the same type of filament as normal lens capsule.