STUDY OF LENS METABOLISM IN VIVO; TECHNIQUE AND RESULTS WITH NA-24, RB-86, AND P-32.

A technique for studying lens metabolism by anterior chamber perfusion in vivo is presented. A particular advantage of this technique is that the lens epithelium delineated by the pupillary space is the only portion of the lens surface exposed to the perfusate, thereby providing in vivo isolation of this area. The uptake of P-32-labeled inorganic phosphate, Na-24, and Rb-86 by the lens was investigated. The uptake of Rb-86 toas by far the greatest, while the uptake of P-32 and Na-24 was quantitatively similar despite the differences in their concentration gradients. Tlie distribution of the isotopes in