[Trace element contents in the transparent lens and the senile cataract lens]

The contents of trace elements Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe in 38 senile cataract lenses and 37 transparent lenses were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. It was found that the contents of the elements in senile cortical cataract lenses were markedly different from those in transparent lenses. Comparing transparent lenses with senile nuclear cataract lenses, there was only difference in the content of Mn. It was therefore inferred that the occurrence of senile cataract was directly related to the deficiency of trace elements.