In vivo observation of lens protein diffusivity in normal and X-irradiated rabbit lenses

Using the techniques of quasielastic light scattering spectroscopy we have studied in vivo the effect of X-irradiation on the diffusivity of lens proteins as a function of position in the lens and time after irradiation. The findings were compared with those for normal lenses in vivo. The experimentally observed correlation functions show marked changes in the protein diffusivity well before substantial biochemical changes take place.