[Morphometric analysis of lens opacification]

A method of classifying cataractous changes in excised human cataracts that was based on separate and independent photographic documentation with subsequent quantitative evaluation of lens opacification has been proposed. The degree of lens clouding was evaluated quantitatively by measuring the optical density index and the area of clouding with certain optical density parameters (equidensities) by use of a texture analyzer system apparatus. This technique made it possible to obtain the contrast image of the lens clouding areas in the frontal projection and to determine their share in the total area of the lens surface. The precise topography of the opacities was established. The data obtained for different clinical types of cataracts help the scientist in his effort to measure clinically or scientifically significant quantitative associations between laboratory measures and cataractous changes.