Ailing 1 reported seven cases of exfoliation of the lens capsule. I likewise observed seven cases of this condition at Bellevue Hospital. The appearance of the capsule of the lens and the conclusions to be drawn from the observations tallied with those of Dr. Alling. It is important to define the condition more accurately, however, as a separation and exfoliation of the most superficial lamella of the capsule of the lens.
It has been demonstrated that the lens capsule can be separated into layers by chemical treatment in the laboratory.1 Clinically, separation and exfoliation occur in a certain small percentage of cases in elderly people. I have seen seven cases in seven years, and, as a routine measure, have examined the lenses of all elderly patients with the biomicroscope for early signs of cataract.
When exfoliation of the anterior capsule is present, the appearance is that of a roughened