True exfoliation of the lens capsule.

True exfoliation or lamellar delamination of the lens capsule is a rare disorder in which the lens capsule is thickened and the superficial portion of the lens capsule splits from the deeper layer and extends into the anterior chamber. The pathogenesis of this disorder is not clear, but intense infrared radiation has been thought to be the main causative factor. We describe a patient with a history of heat exposure who had a cataract and was found to have bilateral delamination of the anterior lens capsule. Findings from light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated a lamellar separation of the anterior portion of the lens capsule, confirming the diagnosis of true exfoliation.