Sorbinil, an aldose reductase inhibitor, in combination with diet normalization, arrested stage-II galactose cataract and restored lens transparency. During the reversal process, determination of lens dry weight, dulcitol and myo-inositol content as well as individual fiber cell ultrastructure offered a comprehensive index of lens integrity. In this study, young rats received a 50% galactose diet for 10 days to produce a stage-II sugar cataract. Then they were placed on one of the following diets: 50% galactose and Sorbinil (20 mg/kg); 50% galactose; normal diet, normal diet and Sorbinil (20 mg/kg). From each group, equal numbers were sacrificed at 5, 10 and 20 days. Although differences were obtained after 5 and 10 days, the 20-day reversal period provided the most significant findings. Only the combination of Sorbinil and normal diet restored lens transparency, normalized lens myo-inositol content and dry weight and partially restored fiber cell integrity as evidenced by diminished granulation and increased fiber synthesis. Neither Sorbinil treatment during galactose administration nor normal diet alone were sufficient to protect against further cataractogenesis, thus indicating a synergistic effect of Sorbinil in combination with normal diet.