Lens cataract formation and reversible alteration in crystallin synthesis in cultured lenses.

Embryonic chick lenses developed cortical cataracts and altered their pattern of delta-crystallin synthesis within 3 hours, if cultured without their vitreous body or traumatized with their vitreous body attached. delta-Crystallin reverted to the normal pattern by 24 hours in the cataractous lenses. Thus, biochemical differences that are only observable during the initial stages of cataractogenesis can exist between opaque and normal lenses.