Fig. 7. Ablation of Cx43 by nestin-cre causes a complete loss of the vitreal space and alterations in the ciliary body, retina and lens. (A) At 5 weeks of age, the nestin-cre⁺/Cx43^flox/flox eye shows a precipitated material in the anterior chamber beneath the cornea. The vitreal space is almost completely absent, with the lens in close apposition to the inner limiting membrane of the retina. The iris remains separated into two layers, the posterior pigmented epithelium adherent to the anterior surface of the lens and to the vitreal side of the ciliary body. The retinal layers are wavy and non-uniform in thickness. (B) At higher power, clear lakes have appeared in the lens where lens fibers have fused. The ciliary body appears disorganized, with a loss of recognizable ciliary processes. The posterior pigmented epithelium of the iris can be seen more clearly adherent to the anterior surface of the lens. Both A and B are sectioned para-saggitally to the pupil. Bars, 100 µm (A); 50 µm (B).