Related Experiment Videos
Water content, lens hardness and cataract appearance
H Tabandeh1, G M Thompson, P Heyworth
1Department of Ophthalmology, St George's Hospital, London, UK.
Eye (London, England)
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Lens hardening, associated with brunescence and age, correlates with decreased water content. This study investigated the relationship between lens hardness, water content, and cataract characteristics in 135 human lenses.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
Background:
- Cataract hardening, indicated by brunescence, is linked to aging.
- Lens rigidity is primarily determined by the nucleus, where water content decreases centrally.
- Biochemical changes, protein alterations, and fiber compaction may contribute to lens hardening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between lens water content, hardness, and clinical cataract features.
- To analyze the correlation between lens hardness, water content, nuclear sclerosis, cortical cataract, posterior subcapsular cataract, vacuolation, and age.
Main Methods:
- 135 human lenses were obtained from extracapsular cataract surgery patients.
- Pre-operative cataract assessment and classification were performed.
- Lens hardness was measured using a guillotine; water content was determined by desiccation and weighing.
- Regression and multivariate analyses were employed.
Main Results:
- A significant relationship was found between lens hardness, water content, degree of nuclear sclerosis, and age (R² = 0.59).
- No significant association was detected between lens water content and age, nuclear sclerosis, cortical cataract, posterior subcapsular cataract, or vacuoles.
- Lens hardening correlates with increased brunescence and advancing age.
Conclusions:
- Lens hardening is associated with a decrease in water content.
- Age and nuclear sclerosis are key factors associated with increased lens hardness and decreased water content.