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Lens hardness in mature cataracts
H Tabandeh1, G M Thompson, P Heyworth
1Department of Ophthalmology, St George's Hospital, London, UK.
Eye (London, England)
|January 1, 1994
Summary
The hardness of mature cataracts correlates with nuclear color and patient age. This finding helps surgeons estimate lens hardness for phacoemulsification suitability.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Mature cataracts involve complete opacification of cortical fibers.
- Lens hardness in non-mature cataracts is linked to nuclear sclerosis.
- Understanding mature cataract properties is crucial for surgical planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between mature cataract hardness and transmitted nuclear color, age, and progression rate.
- To provide clinical markers for estimating lens hardness in mature cataracts.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of 38 patients with mature cataracts before extracapsular cataract surgery.
- Grading of transmitted nuclear color using reference photographs.
- Measurement of lens hardness using a specialized lens guillotine.
- Recording of patient age and duration of visual symptoms.
Main Results:
- Multivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between mature cataract hardness, transmitted nuclear color, and age (adjusted R2 = 0.59).
- A trend indicated increased lens hardening with longer durations of visual symptoms.
- Clinical markers can aid in estimating lens hardness.
Conclusions:
- Mature cataract hardness is associated with transmitted nuclear color and patient age.
- Lens hardness estimation using clinical markers can guide surgical technique selection, particularly for phacoemulsification.