[Morphological and functional characteristics of the lens histamine-containing structures at the early stages of chemical irritation of the eye].

: The purpose of the present study was to determine, using the methods of light, fluorescence microscopy and cytospectrofluorometry, the morpho-functional changes in histaminergic structures of the lens as influenced by extrinsic chemical irritation of the eye (exposure to ether vapors). The experiments were conducted on 74 outbred male albino rats. Extremely fast simultaneous changes (demonstrated in all lens structures already 3 minutes after an irritation) were found in histamine content of the lens cells. According to the results of luminescence analysis, maximal increase in histamine content (by 53.3%) took place in the area of lens nucleus. In the cytoplasm of lens epitheliocytes, histamine content was increased by 22%, while in the cytoplasm of equatorial epithelial cells it was increased by 36.1%, and in the nuclei of central epithelial cells--by 26.4%. The data obtained suggests an existence of diffuse neurotransmission in the lens, that is not associated with neurons.