[7] The capsule is attached to the surrounding eye by numerous suspensory ligaments and in turn suspends the rest of the lens in an appropriate position.
It is permeable to low molecular weight compounds,[8] but restricts the movement of larger things like bacteria, viruses and large colloidal particles.
[clarification needed] The thickest portion is the annular region surrounding the anterior pole.
[clarification needed][11] The ligaments suspending the lens form attachments in the equatorial area and more so just to the front and back of the equator.
[14] As shown in the accompanying micrographs and diagrams, equatorial cells can have periodic cellular processes penetrating the capsule.The structures in the images are consistent with the laying down of new capsular material required for growth.
Due to this zonular tension anterior lens surface is flatter resulting in more distant objects being in focus.
When ciliary muscles contract, the zonular tension will reduce allowing lens to assume more spherical shape.
The process of changing the lens's focusing power to see closer objects more clearly is known as accommodation.
Capsule is evident at 5 weeks of human gestation and begins its role in protecting and supporting the lens interior.
In intra-capsular cataract extraction (ICCE), the whole lens including the anterior part of the capsule is removed.
Sheep eye lens capsule with ligaments attached. The capsule is lifting off the lens showing cell fiber ends beneath.
Microscope image of lens capsule in relation to lens cell types
Micrographs and 3D drawing of a "foot" structures on eye lens capsules
A thin section showing two feet penetrating into the lens capsule. The capsule appears just under 10 microns thick in this micrograph though the apparent thickness will vary with the angle of section cut so the actual thickness may be less. Large numbers of small vesicles can also be seen
One of the feet and higher magnification. Thin pale fibres can just be seen within the cytoplasm
Structure on the outside surface of eye lens capsule at equator showing the fused cells and vesicles associated with it
A sheep lens with the capsule stripped off. The classic lens shape is practically lost without the support of the capsule.