[Pathogenesis of disorders of transparency of the optic media of the eye. III. Quantitative detection of copper in relation to the ultrastructure of the vitreous body in chalcosis].

The authors elaborated a new analytical micromethod for the detection of elements in morphologically investigated ultrastructures of the vitreous body. For the investigation of quantitative ultrastructural changes electron microanalysis (EMA) was used, combined with raster electron microscopy (REM). Using this method, the authors proved ultrastructural changes of the vitreous body by selective uptake of copper in the trabecular collagen fibres of the vitreous body in experimental chalcosis. From the results ensues that copper does not diffuse in the vitreous body in a homogeneous manner but aggregates in irregular agglomerations of precipitates and crystals. The different quantitative detection of copper in different parts of the same specimen is according to the authors due to the heterogeneous affinity of ultrastructural portions of the vitreous body for copper.