Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
10:18
Exfoliation and Analysis of Large-area, Air-Sensitive Two-Dimensional Materials
Published on: January 5, 2019
12.3K
Microstructure and Chemical Analysis in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome
Kamil Yavuzer1, Yuksel Akinay2
1Van Training and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinic, University of Health Sciences, Van, Turkey.
Current Eye Research
|August 29, 2020
Summary
Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) involves abnormal material accumulation in the lens. This study found higher copper and zinc levels in aqueous humor and specific elemental precipitates on the anterior lens capsule in PES patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Materials Science
- Trace Element Analysis
Background:
- Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) is a common condition associated with increased risk of complications during cataract surgery.
- The composition of pseudoexfoliation material and its effect on ocular tissues remain incompletely understood.
- Trace elements are implicated in various biological processes, including oxidative stress, which may play a role in PES pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To visualize pseudoexfoliation material on the anterior lens capsule using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- To quantify trace element levels in aqueous humor of patients with and without PES using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).
- To investigate the elemental composition and distribution within the anterior lens capsule in PES.
Main Methods:
- Aqueous humor and anterior lens capsule samples were collected from 30 patients with PES and 30 controls.
- Trace element analysis (Zn, Cu, Se, Fe, Si, Al, Ca, K) of aqueous humor was performed using ICP-OES.
- Morphological and elemental analysis of anterior lens capsules was conducted using SEM with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).
Main Results:
- Elevated levels of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were found in the aqueous humor of the PES group compared to controls (p < .001).
- The Cu/Zn ratio was significantly higher in the aqueous humor (p = .008) and the Cu/Se ratio was higher in both aqueous humor (p < .001) and anterior capsule (p < .001) of PES patients.
- SEM revealed distinct metal precipitates on the anterior lens capsules of PES patients, which were absent in controls.
Conclusions:
- Trace element levels differ significantly in the aqueous humor and anterior lens capsule between patients with and without PES.
- The presence of specific elemental precipitates on the lens capsule in PES suggests a role for these elements in the syndrome's formation.
- Further research into the oxidative behavior of these elements could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for PES.
