Smooth, elastic and transparent membrane structure 

Dense and tightly packed with parallel lamellae 

• These are known to diminish in organisation throughout life

An extracellular matrix is produced using irregularly arranged fibrils

• Fibrils are made up of type IV collagen molecules which interact with glycoproteins and proteoglycans

  • This contributes lens capsule elasticity

• Over time, the capsule becomes thicker as extracellular matrix molecules are added to its centre by lens epithelial and fibre cells 

Zonules of zinn attach onto the capsule, allowing the lens to change shape for accommodation

Lens fibres exist within the capsule

• Anterior capsule meets the epithelium

• Posterior capsule interacts with the outer portions of the posterior fibres

• The anterior part is known to be the thickest part (20µm) compared to the posterior (3µm)

  • This is due to the ever-growing epithelial cells, whereas the posterior is not associated with the epithelium