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To investigate the relationship of lens opacities to performance-based and self-assessed visual function in persons free of other ocular comorbidities.Cross-sectional cohort study.Beaver Dam Eye Study participants.Lens photographs were taken and graded by protocols for age-related lens opacities. During the study evaluation, best-corrected visual acuity, near vision, and contrast sensitivity (performance-based visual functions) were measured. Questions were asked about visual function in particular settings (self-assessed visual functions).After the exclusion of other ocular comorbidities, performance-based visual functions were associated significantly (Por =0.001 for each association) with severity of lens opacities, including relatively early lens opacities. Self-assessed visual functions were associated less consistently with severity of lens opacities (P0.02 for all). In age-stratified analyses, there were fewer significant associations of self-assessed visual functions with severity of lens opacities for persons younger than 65 years than for persons 65 or older.Lens opacities across the range of severities were associated with measurable decreases in visual functions; the associations, especially for self-assessed functions, tended to be greater at older ages. It is likely that successful measures to decrease the severity of lens opacities will have a greater impact on older persons.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:59:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0103-84782005000300036.pdf: 69674 bytes, checksum: 360d5dc316b811043d618c6160e24c81 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:59:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0103-84782005000300036.pdf: 69674 bytes, checksum: 360d5dc316b811043d618c6160e24c81 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-06-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:56:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0103-84782005000300036.pdf: 69674 bytes, checksum: 360d5dc316b811043d618c6160e24c81 (MD5) S0103-84782005000300036.pdf.txt: 15237 bytes, checksum: d2b38a536c25a82c001d71dc31dc3cad (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-06-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:14:04Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0103-84782005000300036.pdf: 69674 bytes, checksum: 360d5dc316b811043d618c6160e24c81 (MD5) S0103-84782005000300036.pdf.txt: 15237 bytes, checksum: d2b38a536c25a82c001d71dc31dc3cad (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:14:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0103-84782005000300036.pdf: 69674 bytes, checksum: 360d5dc316b811043d618c6160e24c81 (MD5) S0103-84782005000300036.pdf.txt: 15237 bytes, checksum: d2b38a536c25a82c001d71dc31dc3cad (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-06-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Relata-se o caso de um cão jovem, terrier brasileiro, apresentando opacidade lenticular diabética bilateral, a qual regrediu, sendo reassumida a transparência do cristalino após a terapia com insulina e controle dos níveis glicêmicos. Essa afecção tem sido reportada raramente em indivíduos da espécie humana, mas não há relatos de sua ocorrência em cães. O rápido controle glicêmico pode ter sido o responsável pela recuperação da transparência. A case of a Brazilian Terrier puppy presenting diabetic lens opacity that restored transparency after insulin therapy and control of blood glucose levels is reported. This entity has been rarely reported in human beings and has not been reported in dogs before. The rapid glycemic control may have been responsible for the transparency recovery. Universidade Estadual Paulista Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinária Universidade Estadual Paulista Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinária

It is conservatively estimated that some form of lens opacity is present in 5% to 7% of horses with otherwise clinically normal eyes.These opacities can range from small epicapsular remnants of the fetal vasculature to dense and extensive cataract. A cataract is defined technically as any opacity or alteration in the optical homogeneity of the lens involving one or more of the following: anterior epithelium, capsule, cortex, or nucleus. In the horse, cataracts rarely involve the entire lens structure (ie, complete cataracts) and are more usually localized to one anatomic landmark or sector of the lens. Complete cataracts are invariably associated with overt and significant visual disability. Focal or incomplete cataracts alone seldom cause any apparent visual dysfunction in affected horses,however.

Objective In this study 2000 dogs were examined ophthalmoscopically to determine presence of cataract. Materials and methods The dogs examined were predominantly from veterinary hospital populations but also from the Waltham Center For Pet Nutrition, rehoming charities and breeding kennels. Prevalence of cataract was thus determined for different age groups (year cohorts). The age at which prevalence of cataract was 50% (C50) was determined indirectly from a fitted prevalence curve. Results The mean ± standard deviation of C50 for all dogs in the study was 9.4 ± 3.3 years. All dogs over 13.5 years were affected by some degree of lens opacity. C50 was determined for animals of different genders and different breeds. For dogs of six breeds sufficient data were available for calculation of breed-specific C50. In these dogs C50 was positively correlated with longevity with a least squares correlation coefficient of 0.74. Conclusion The study yields novel findings regarding the prevalence and incidence of cataract in the dog and forms the basis for considerable further work on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of age-related cataract in the dog.

In a recent clinical trial, supplementation with high-dose antioxidants lowered the progression of lens opacities. These results differ from those of several other larger trials, in which no benefit to high-dose antioxidant supplementation was observed. Although a large body of observational evidence suggests that supplement use is associated with lower risk for cataract, there is insufficient evidence that high-dose antioxidants slow the progression of cataracts beyond that provided by multivitamins or healthful diets.

Cataract development is one of the most common complications of ocular electrical injury. Our patient reported an electrical injury of his face 13 years ago that affected both eyes. Since that time he noticed progressive visual impairment of both eyes. At the time of first presentation in 2014, slit lamp examination showed characteristic opacities within the anterior and posterior subcapsular area of the lens. Cataract surgery led to full recovery of visual acuity.

The induction of cataracts or formation of lens opacity in the human eye has often been incriminated as a possible hazard of human exposure to personal communication radiation and microwave radiation in general. In the case of cell phones, some concerns have been expressed when the user holds the cell-phone handset, or the microwave radiating device, directly in front of the face, exposing the eye to a straight-on incidence of the cell-phone radiation.

Objective: To determine the relationship between lens opacities and color discrimination ability in cataract patients at the Special Eye Hospital in Palembang.Methods: A case study was undertaken in January to March 2017 at the Special Eye Hospital in Palembang. There were 80 cataract patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The relationship between lens opacities and color discrimination ability was analyzed using Spearman rho correlation test using SPSS version 18.0.Results: About 51.2% out of 80 cataract patients, most patients were diagnosed with nucleotide cataract with the majority degree of opacities is Grade III (50%). Average of total error score was 51.425±51, 441 (range 0-312). The correlation test results showed a significant weak positive correlation between lens opacities and color discrimination ability (r=0.376; p=0.001; n=80) where the percentage of effect of lens opacities to color discrimination ability was only 7.9% (R2=0.079).Conclusion: There was a significant weak positive correlation between lens opacities and color discrimination ability.

Normal development of the visual system in infants relies on clear images being projected onto the retina, which can be disrupted by lens opacity caused by congenital cataract. This disruption, if uncorrected in early life, results in amblyopia (permanently decreased vision even after removal of the cataract). Doctors are able to prevent amblyopia by removing the cataract during the first several weeks of life, but this surgery risks a host of complications, which can be equally visually disabling. Here, we investigated the feasibility of focusing light noninvasively through highly scattering cataractous lenses to stimulate the retina, thereby preventing amblyopia. This approach would allow the cataractous lens removal surgery to be delayed and hence greatly reduce the risk of complications from early surgery. Employing a wavefront shaping technique named time-reversed ultrasonically encoded optical focusing in reflection mode, we focused 532-nm light through a highly scattering ex vivo adult human cataractous lens. This work demonstrates a potential clinical application of wavefront shaping techniques.

This work studies ethnic and geographical differences in the age-related straylight increase by means of a stochastic model and unpublished lens opacity data of 559 residents of Villa Maria (Argentina), as well as data of 912 Indonesian subjects published previously by Husain et al. For both cohorts the prevalence of each type and grade of lens opacity was determined as a function of age, from which a stochastic model was derived capable of simulating the lens opacity prevalence for both populations. These simulated lens opacity data were then converted to estimated straylight by means of an equation derived from previously recorded data of 107 eyes with varying degrees of cataract. Based on these opacity templates 2500 random sets of subject age and lens opacity data were generated by the stochastic model for each dataset, from which estimated straylight could be calculated. For the Argentinian data the estimated straylight was found to closely resemble the published models for age-related straylight increase. For younger eyes the straylight variation of the model was the same as what was previously published (in both cases 0.200 log units), which doubled in size for older eyes. For the Indonesian data, however, this age-related straylight increase was found to be fundamentally different from the published age model. This suggests that current normative curves for age-related straylight increase may not always be appropriate for non-European populations, and that the inter-individual straylight variations in young, healthy eyes may possibly be due to variations in lens opacities. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Christmas tree cataract is a rare type of lens opacification characterized by deposits of needle-shaped polychromatic cortex deep in the core, that can be isolated or associated with other opacities. We report and record, through photographs, two cases of this type of lens opacity.

Purpose To evaluate the impact of lens opacity on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) and Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) measurements. Methods Fifty-nine randomly selected patients without any other relevant ocular pathology undergoing elective routine cataract surgery in two specialized eye clinics were enrolled. RNFLT, BMO area, and BMO minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) were assessed with the Heidelberg Engineering Spectralis OCT using the anatomical positioning system (APS) prior to and 1 day after cataract surgery using a ring scan at different eccentricities of the disc (3.5, 4.1 and 4.7 mm). Lens opacity was quantified using densitometry based on Scheimpflug images (Oculus Pentacam AXL). Results RNFLT, BMO area, and BMO-MRW were virtually identical before and following removal of the cataractous lens. This held when assessed overall, within the six sectors for the 3.5-mm scan, or at any other eccentricity. Baseline RNFLT was not associated with lens opacity. Conclusions Using the APS, RNFLT remained unchanged following cataract surgery, contrary to results reported by previous studies. Our results imply that the APS may have contributed to more precise spectral-domain optical coherence measurements, minimizing the influence of cataract on RNFLT and BMO assessments in our cohort.

Purpose To assess the impact of human crystalline lens opacification and yellowing, similar to that observed in patients with cataracts, on retinal vessel blood oxygen saturation measurements using custom manufactured soft contact lenses. Methods Ten healthy, non-smoking individuals were enrolled for this study. All subjects underwent digital blood pressure measurements, assessment of non-contact intra-ocular pressure, pupil dilation and retinal vessel oximetry using dual-wavelength photography (Oximetry Module, Imedos Systems). To simulate lens changes, three different contact lenses were inserted, one to simulate opacities followed by two more lenses to simulate different levels of lens yellowing (Cantor & Nissel). Results The measurements obtained showed an opposite change in arterial and venous oxygen saturation and optical density ratio across conditions, resulting in a statistically significant difference in arterial minus venous oxygen saturation value (p = 0.003). However, this difference was only significant for the ‘opacity’ condition but not for the ‘yellowing’ conditions. Conclusion Lenticular changes such as cataracts can impact on spectrophotometric analysis in particular dual-wavelength retinal vessel oximetry. Hence, lenticular assessment and cataract grading should be considered when assessing elderly individuals and patient groups developing cataract earlier in life such as those suffering from diabetes mellitus.

Introdução Catarata surge como fator de risco para a incapacidade funcional em idosos.Objetivos Determinar diferenças na capacidade funcional e nos fatores contextuais a ela associados em idosos com e sem catarata e associação entre incapacidade funcional e catarata.Métodos Estudo observacional transversal, realizado com uma amostra de 100 idosos comunitários, divididos em dois grupos: idosos com catarata (n = 50) e idosos sem catarata (n = 50). Foram avaliadas: atividades de vida diária (AVD) – Índice de Katz –, atividades instrumentais de vida diária (AIVD) – Escala de Lawton – e mobilidade – Short Physical Pherformance Battery. Incapacidade funcional foi detectada quando os idosos apresentassem dependência ou semi-dependência para uma ou mais AVD ou AIVD e/ou qualquer dificuldade na mobilidade. As análises dos dados incluíram frequência absoluta e relativa, testes Qui quadrado ou Exato de Fisther (p < 0.05) e análise regressiva de Poisson.Resultados Não houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre AIVD, AVD ou mobilidade e ter catarata. Diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os idosos incapacitados de G1 e G2 conforme os fatores contextuais ocorreram para faixa etária (p = 0.037), comorbidade (p = 0.037) e incapacidade para AVD; prática de atividade física (p = 0.013) e incapacidade para mobilidade e autorrelato de dificuldade de enxergar e incapacidade para AIVD (p = 0.001), AVD (p = 0.001) e mobilidade (p = 0.013).Conclusões Além de catarata, inatividade física, comorbidade e o próprio envelhecimento funcional são fatores contribuintes para o processo de incapacidade em idosos, assim, a fisioterapia é essencial tanto para prevenir como para reverter este processo. Introduction Cataract arises as a risk factor for functional disability in elderly Objective: To determine differences in functional capacity and contextual factors associated with it in elderly affected and not affected by cataract and association between disability and cataracts.Methods A transversal-type observational study was carried out with 100 community elderly, divided into two groups: elderly affected (n = 50) and not affected by cataracts (n = 50). It was evaluated: activities of daily living (ADL) – Katz Index –, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) – Lawton scale – and mobility – Short Physical Performance Battery. Functional disability was detected when the elderly were dependent or semi-dependent for one or more IADL or ADL and/or when they presented any difficulty in mobility. Data analysis included absolute and relative frequencies, Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests (p < 0.05) and Poisson regression.Results No statistically significant associations were observed between IADL, ADL or mobility disability and cataracts. A statistically significant difference was observed between the disabled elderly affected and not affected by cataract according to contextual factors for ADL regarding age (p = 0.037) and comorbidity (p = 0.037), for mobility regarding the practice of physical activity (p = 0.013), and for IADL (p = 0.001), ADL (p = 0.001) and mobility (p = 0.013) regarding the self-reporting of eyesight problems.Conclusions Besides cataracts, physical inactivity, comorbidity and functional aging itself are contributing factors to the process of disability in elderly, so, the physiotherapy is essential both to prevent as to reverse this process.

Purpose To compare the lens opacity formation after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) using nonmechanical excimer laser corneal trephination and mechanical motor trephination. Setting University Eye Clinic, University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Methods Ninety-six patients with keratoconus (96 eyes) and clear crystalline lenses were randomly assigned to the nonmechanical trephination (NMT) group (n = 46; 35 men; mean age 38.2 years ± 10.8 [SD]) or the mechanical trephination (MT) group (n = 50; 35 men; mean age 34.4 ± 9.0 years). Suturing and postoperative treatment were identical. Dilated pupil biomicroscopy and slitlamp lens photography were performed preoperatively and postoperatively at 3 month intervals. Opacities were identified as cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular and graded from 1 (mild) to 3 (severe). Results Mean follow-up in the NMT/MT group was 3.2 ± 1.3 years/3.4 ± 1.1 years. Overall, incident opacities appeared in 23.9%/32.0% of eyes (4.3%/6.0% cortical; 19.6%/26.0% posterior subcapsular; 0%/0% nuclear) ( P = .833). All cortical opacities in both groups were grade 1; posterior subcapsular opacities were grade 1 in 66.6%/61.5% of eyes and grade 2 in 22.2%/30.8% of eyes. One patient in each group presented grade 3 posterior subcapsular opacities. No differences between trephination methods were seen in a 5 year Kaplan–Meier cumulative risk of lens opacity formation ( P = .763 cortical, P = .530 posterior subcapsular). Conclusion In addition to its optical advantages, nonmechanical corneal trephination appears to have no adverse impact on cataract formation after PKP for keratoconus.

Background: As the lens may become absorbed spontaneously extraction of the congenital cataract in the Hallermann-Streiff syndrome is controversial. Patient: A male newborn with Hallermann-Streiff syndrome was referred to the eye clinic because of a bilateral mature cataract. The risks of an operation seemed too serious because the eyes were extremely microphthalmic (a-p diameter approx. 10,5 mm). Instead, it was decided to await spontaneous lens absorption which then occurred slowly and completely between the beginning of the 2 nd and the end of the 3 rd year of life without considerable inflammatory responses. In the meantime, the child has a good orientation and is able to paint and to discriminate colours without optic correction. Conclusions: The critical investigation of the literature reveals that the frequency of spontaneous lens absorption in the Hallermann-Streiff syndrome is probably (widely) underestimated. It can be estimated with up to 50% (or even more) if patients which were operated on are excluded and if untreated patients are followed up till the end of the 5 th year of life. Functional results seem to be quite similar for treated and untreated eyes. Therefore we would recommend to await the spontaneous lens absorption in the Hallermann-Steiff syndrome especially when the cataract is combined with considerable microphthalmia.

PURPOSE: To compare values of the human lens autofluorescence and back light scatter measurements with the improved Lens Opacities Classification System, LOCS III. METHODS: We measured autofluorescence and back light scatter of the lens from 122 smoking males aged 57 to 76 years who participated in a cancer prevention study. The retroillumination and slit-lamp photographs of the lenses were graded according to LOCS III by the Center for Ophthalmic Research in Boston. Lens fluorometry was carried out with a previously described technique using blue-green (495 nm/520 nm) autofluorescence range. Interzeag Lens Opacity Meter 701 was used for light scatter measurements. RESULTS: LOCS III nuclear opalescence and color grades were statistically significantly correlated with lens autofluorescence as well as with light scatter values. The lens transmission index of autofluorescence measurements showed the highest correlation with the nuclear color (r = -0.71; p < 0.0001) and the light scatter value with nuclear opalescence (r = 0.64; p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between autofluorescence measurements and LOCS III grades of cortical or posterior subcapsular cataract. A weak relation could be found between the grades of cortical cataract and light scatter values. CONCLUSIONS: The lens fluorometry provides a practical clinical technique to evaluate the yellow coloration and opalescence of the human lens nucleus. It may be a useful additional tool together with a subjective grading system in the follow-up of optical changes occurring in the nuclear region of the lens.

A review of the epidemiological evidence linking cataract and chronic ultraviolet B radiation (UV-B) exposure was carried out. The majority of ecological studies suggest an increased risk of cataract with residence in areas of greater ambient UV-B. Studies which have measured personal ocular exposure to UV-B have found that even low exposures, as encountered in the general populations of developed countries, confer a measurable risk of cortical cataract. There is sufficient evidence of increased risk of cortical lens opacity with ocular exposure to UV-B to warrant public health messages about simple measures to decrease exposure. J Epidemiol, 1999 ; 9 : S97-S101.

We propose and study a multivariate c-sample rank test for order-restricted alternatives when the underlying distributions have a contaminated component. An example concerning lens opacity in adults is presented. The asymptotic distributions are obtained under local mixture alternatives, and Pitman efficiencies are calculated. An empirical power study is also included.

* BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The authors conducted a 3-year randomized trial to compare silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) IOLs, to determine any differences in laser capsulotomy rates, capsular opacification light scatter, and subjective scoring. * PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 119 patients were enrolled, 84 of whom were examined at 3 years. The authors designed a prospective, masked, and randomized trial to compare the objective (lens opacity meter), subjective (slit-lamp scoring), and clinical parameters of the posterior capsular opacification (PCO) of these patients. * RESULTS: The silicone group had less PCO than the PMMA group, according to objective (8.6% vs. 10.4%; P= .02, Student's t test) and subjective scoring (0.88 vs. 1.79; P= .0001, Students t test). The laser capsulotomy rate was 24% for the silicone group and 33% for the PMMA group; however, this difference was not statistically significant. * CONCLUSION: The silicone IOL was associated with less PCO than the PMMA IOL. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 1998;29:55-58.]

Discutimos aqui aspectos vinculados ao enquadramento legal, a recomendações internacionais e a programas de formação em proteção radiológica; ao angiógrafo e à qualidade da imagem; aos efeitos biológicos e aos riscos das radiações ionizantes; às lesões em operadores e pacientes; aos níveis de referência do paciente; ao limite de dose ocupacional e a suas medidas de prevenção. O uso das radiações ionizantes acarreta riscos, que, contudo, justificam-se em procedimentos diagnósticos e terapêuticos. A consciência e o conhecimento desses riscos minimizam o dano, otimizando a qualidade da imagens e o uso seguro das radiações ionizantes. Tem-se demonstrado a ocorrência de cataratas radioinduzidas em trabalhadores de laboratórios de cateterismo. Diversos estudos sugerem que pode haver um risco significativo de opacidade do cristalino, caso não se utilizem adequadamente os dispositivos de proteção radiológica. Adicionalmente, esses tipos de procedimentos intervencionistas são realizados na América Latina, geralmente por médicos especialistas, com a colaboração de enfermeiros, tecnólogos e técnicos, que, muitas vezes, não têm formação adequada em proteção radiológica. We discuss some aspects related to the legal framework, international recommendations and training programs on radiological protection; image quality and equipment; the biological effects and risks of ionizing radiation; lesions in patients and operators; patient's reference levels; occupational dose limit and preventive actions. The use of ionizing radiation involves risks that are justified in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The awareness and knowledge of these risks minimizes the damage, optimizing the quality of images and safe use of ionizing radiation. There is evidence of radiation-induced cataracts in individuals who work in catheterization laboratories. Several studies suggest there may be a significant risk of lens opacity, if radiological protection devices are not properly used. Additionally, these interventional procedures are performed in Latin America, usually by medical specialists in collaboration with nurses, technologists and technicians, who often do not have adequate training in radiological protection.

PURPOSE To study the incidence and types of cataract in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and their variations among different forms of RP. PATIENTS AND METHODS This analysis was based on data from 473 patients with RP (autosomal dominant, n = 87; autosomal recessive, n = 79; x chromosomal recessive, n = 23; simplex RP, n = 215; Usher's syndrome n = 80; M. Refsum and others, n = 9) that were retrieved from the literature and patient charts in our clinic. RESULTS Posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) developed with the following frequencies for the different genetic types of RP: autosomal dominant, 45.3%; autosomal recessive, 44.0%; x chromosomal recessive, 40.7%; simplex RP, 46.1%; Usher's syndrome, 52.9%. PSC was the only type of lens opacity in patients with Usher's syndrome and autosomal recessive RP.PSC development correlated with early onset of RP symptoms. Nuclear cataracts showed a statistically significant higher frequency in patients with simplex RP (14.8%) than in other genetic types (0-5.9%) (P < 0.01). In addition, nuclear cataracts developed in simplex RP at a significantly later age (69.6 +/- 12.4 years) than PSC (44.4 +/- 12.3 years) (P < 0.001). Patients with cataracts showed significantly worse visual fields than patients with clear lenses (P = 0.00067). CONCLUSIONS The typical RP cataract (PSC) was found in similar frequencies among all genetic types of RP.PSC was the only type of lens opacity in patients with Usher's syndrome and autosomal recessive RP. Nuclear cataracts developed on average 20 years later than PSC and had their highest incidence in patients with simplex RP. Patients with cataracts showed significantly worse visual field results, indicating a more pronounced retinal pathology.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of Shezhu Mingmu powder (SZMMP) in treatment of early senile cataract.Methods: A comparison was made between the treatment group, 162 eyes of 92 cases of early senile cataract treated by SZMMP, and the control group, 57 eyes of 30 cases treated by drops baineitini. The treatment periods were one to three months.Results: The total effective rate for the treatment group was 79.01 % and the rate of obvious improvement was 25.31%. In the treatment group both rateswere clearly higher than the rates (36.84% and 7.02%) of the control group. After 4 to 8 months’ following up, treatment of 42 cases showed that most of them reached the best curative effect within 1 to 3 months.Conclusion: SZMMP is obviously effective in improving visual acuity of early senile cataract, but the lens opacity was not changed.

AH is a 13-year-old girl who complained of reduction of vision in her right eye. She was seen by an ophthalmologist, who documented vision of 20/50-2 OD and 20/20 OS. Slit-lamp examination found a sectorial cataract and mild vitreous reaction. Careful examination of the fundus periphery suggested inflammatory debris near the ciliary body adjacent to the lens opacity. She was diagnosed with pars planitis and treated with subtenon’s triamcinalone injections on two occasions. The peripheral lesion increased in size, so she was referred for echography.

AV is a 63-year-old Peruvian man with a red, painful right eye and moderately dense lens opacity in his left. He had undergone some sort of surgery in his right eye several years previously by a group of doctors on an outreach program from a regional government hospital and had never seen very well with progressive loss of vision and increasing discomfort over the past several months. Examination found vision in the right eye of bare hand motions at 1 m and 20/80 OS. There was 3+ corneal edema of the right cornea with poor visualization of the anterior chamber and no view of the fundus on that side.

We evaluated the ability of Lensmeter 701 (LOM) to detect changes in the transparency of the lens graded with the Lens Opacities Classification System II (LOCS II). In this prospective study 410 middle-aged Eastern Finnish men participating in the Kuopio Atherosclerosis Prevention Study were examined three times at eighteen month intervals, and lens opacities were graded with both LOM and LOCS II, the latter serving as the standard. Majority of the change in the LOM reading during the follow-up fell within the 95% tolerance interval of the apparatus (3.08 units). Only four eyes showing progression by LOCS II were detected by LOM. The association between LOM change and the change observed by LOCS II was not statistically significant, and the correspondence of the two methods was weak. It seems that the sensitivity of the LOM is not sufficient to detect small changes in the transparency of the lens over time.

The determination of S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)glutathione and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the rabbit lens and liver was developed using an isotachophoretic analyser. The recovery of S-(1, 2-dicarboxyethyl)GSH from the rabbit liver after ion-exchange treatment was 96.8 +/- 11.3% (n=3). The contents of S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)GSH in the rabbit lens and liver were 219.9 +/- 29.1 (n=5) and 44.0 +/- 13.5 (n = 8) nmol/g, respectively. The contents of S-(1, 2-dicarboxyethyl)GSH in the lens and GSH in the lens and liver of naphthalene-treated rabbits was also determined by this method 24 hours after naphthalene administration, at which time the axial opacity "spichen" was observed at the equatorial region of the lens. The content of S-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)GSH in the lens decreased in proportion to the content of GSH. During the further development of true lens opacity after naphthalene administration, the S-(l, 2-dicarboxyethyl)GSH content further compared with that in the spichen stage, but the S-(1, 2-dicarboxyethyl)GSH content of the lens that did not develop true opacity after naphthalene administration returned to the normal level. The change of S-(1, 2-dicarboxyethyl)GSH content of the lens in the spichen and true opacity stages coincided with that of GSH content. On the other hand, the content of GSH of the liver decreased markedly until 24 hours after naphthalene administration, then returned to normal, irrespective of whether true opacity did or did not subsequently develop.

Purpose To study lens opacity in pediatric cataract images captured using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Methods The medical records of patients operated on from September 2012 to October 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Prior to surgery, patients were placed in the supine position under sedation with oral chloral hydrate for UBM imaging. Lens morphology was evaluated by UBM examination with a 50 MHz probe that was equipped with a water bag instead of the standard plastic shell. UBM images were compared to images captured from intraoperative videos. Results UBM examination was performed in 50 patients (including 10 infants) aged 2 months to 6 years. The UBM ecographic images showed features specific to pediatric cataract lenses. These features were used to define 2 types of anterior capsule of the lens, 4 types of cortex and nucleus of the lens, 3 types of posterior capsule of the lens, and membranous cataracts. Conclusions Capsule morphology and the cortex density of pediatric cataracts could be evaluated before surgery using UBM imaging. Adoption of this technique could provide useful preoperative information to surgeons.

Visual impairment, mostly due to cataracts, has been demonstrated to be an important factor associated with traffic accidents. Although vision screening is standard procedure during licensing in order to prevent motor vehicle accidents, an eye exam is not typically administered after an accident has already occurred. Postmortem assessment of lens opacity in victims of car accidents would provide helpful information for attesting to the liability of the parties in specific accidents, determining the circumstances of the accident, and developing preventive measures for both drivers and pedestrians alike. In this paper, we explore the use of different methods and their limitations for assessing lens opacity postmortem. We discuss the possible use and benefits of a simple, but as-yet untested method: retrobulbar translucency. The method would be based on the recording of shadows formed by opaque regions of the lens while the eye is illuminated from the back with a rigid source of light. The efficacy and objectivity of the method, its reproducibility, and the inter- and intra-observer error should be tested before implementing such a technique to be regularly used to determine lens opacity in cadavers.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of lens opacities in quality of images and reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements using Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Methods Fifty eyes of 50 subjects (25 men and 25 women; aged from 62 to 88 years) underwent three 360° circular scans centred on the optic disc by the same experienced examiner using the “RNFL Fast” Glaucoma Application and the “RNFL-N Fast” Axonal Application of Spectralis OCT instrument one month before and one month after cataract surgery. Comparison between the two visits and changes in reproducibility (using intra-class correlation coefficients and coefficients of variation) were analyzed. The quality of images was also compared between both visits. Results RNFL and RNFL-N differences were detected between both visits for average thickness, temporal and nasal quadrants (p

Cataract operations may be recommended when retinal disease is suspected but cannot be adequately diagnosed or treated because of lens opacity. We evaluated the outcome of cataract operations performed under those circumstances. We reviewed the records of 119 patients who were examined at the Wilmer Retinal Vascular Center and within three months underwent a cataract operation. We identified 17 patients (20 eyes) who underwent a cataract operation at the recommendation of a retinal specialist, to permit diagnosis, to determine eligibility for laser therapy, or to perform laser therapy. After the cataract operation, eight (40%) of the 20 eyes were found to have a retinal disease for which laser therapy was recommended, and six (30%) of the 20 eyes underwent laser therapy that, before the cataract operation, had been impossible. These results indicate that a cataract operation may be useful when lenticular opacity prevents diagnosis or treatment in a patient with a suspected retinal disorder.

We examined the difference in response to different degrees of injury in the mouse lens. The anterior side of the lens was pricked through the cornea by a microsyringe with a 31-gauge needle or an ordinary needle. The location of the needle tip was mostly marked with Evans' blue (EB) stain. At least three types of responses were recognizable. The first was a recovery type in which the wound was healed by an epithelial reaction. EB was localized at the superficial zone of the anterior cortex. The second was a type in which the change within the lens was stationary after forming a spherical body with a slightly smaller diameter than that of the entire lens. EB was observed in the intermediate zone of the anterior cortex. The third was a rapid progressive type of cataract which caused lens opacity within 3 days. The trace of the needle tip was observed around the perinuclear zone. These results suggest that the cortex of the mouse lens consists of three zones which may be functionally different around the lens nucleus: superficial, intermediate and perinuclear zones.

The relationship between the activity of the antioxidant defense enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and the degree of cataract (lens opacity) was examined in 14 Emory mice at the age of 2, 7 and 10 months. Significant decreases in specific GSH-PX activity (mU/mg wet tissue) in the lens as well as in the residual eye tissue were found between 2 and 10 months of age, showing a highly significant correlation of this decrease (r = 0.590, p ∼ 0.001) with the increasing degree of turbidity of the lenses. The results are discussed with regard to the changes of antioxidant mechanisms during cataractogenesis and aging. The role of the maintenance of an optimal level of GSH-PX and other well-known antioxidants (enzymes, vitamins, trace elements including iodide) for a delay of cataractogenesis is pointed out.

Changes in the visual organ with aging were investigated non-surgically in male WBN/Kob rats, in which spontaneous diabetic mellitus commonly occurs. Male Wistar/ST rats at the ages of 5, 9, 13, 17, 23, 27, 36, 45, 54, 67 and 80 weeks were examined for changes in the peri-orbital region, eyelid, lens, corpus vitreum and ocular fundus by macroscopic inspection and fundoscopy. The area around the eyelid was stained with reddish-brown excretions from the Harderian gland. This stain was frequently observed in rats of both strains aged 54 weeks or over, showing no difference in frequency between WBN/Kob rats and Wistar/ST rats. Lens opacity was observed in male WBN/Kob rats aged 67 weeks or over, and narrowing of the retinal artery and vein in those aged 36 weeks or over. The occurrence of lens opacity was consistent with that of visual dysfunction as determined by a test of the ability to differentiate light from dark using a Y-shaped apparatus (Kiyosawa et al., 1993).

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:56:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-09352011000500010.pdf: 321958 bytes, checksum: 40edccf9dcaf0c757f6268ba1f730024 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:56:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0102-09352011000500010.pdf: 321958 bytes, checksum: 40edccf9dcaf0c757f6268ba1f730024 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-10-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:50:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0102-09352011000500010.pdf: 321958 bytes, checksum: 40edccf9dcaf0c757f6268ba1f730024 (MD5) S0102-09352011000500010.pdf.txt: 29364 bytes, checksum: 0b46dd8f2c6f8dd24dd1aec0f489cac0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-10-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:13:10Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0102-09352011000500010.pdf: 321958 bytes, checksum: 40edccf9dcaf0c757f6268ba1f730024 (MD5) S0102-09352011000500010.pdf.txt: 29364 bytes, checksum: 0b46dd8f2c6f8dd24dd1aec0f489cac0 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:13:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0102-09352011000500010.pdf: 321958 bytes, checksum: 40edccf9dcaf0c757f6268ba1f730024 (MD5) S0102-09352011000500010.pdf.txt: 29364 bytes, checksum: 0b46dd8f2c6f8dd24dd1aec0f489cac0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-10-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Avaliou-se a eficácia da análise ultrassonográfica, assistida por computador, da lente cataratogênica senil de cães e identificou-se sua correlação com parâmetros da facoemulsificação. A avaliação ultrassonográfica da lente em modos A e B simultâneos foi realizada em 15 cães portadores de catarata. Procedeu-se à análise das imagens, assistida por computador. Posteriormente, os olhos selecionados foram submetidos à facoemulsificação. Os achados ultrassonográficos e a facoemulsificação foram comparados visando à identificação de possíveis correlações. A ecogenicidade obtida por meio da análise ultrassonográfica correlacionou-se diretamente com o tempo de facoemulsificação, de maneira que quanto mais branca a imagem ultrassonográfica, maior o tempo de facoemulsificação. A ultrassonografia em modo-B auxiliou na predição da localização das opacidades lenticulares, porém não auxiliou na predição da dureza da lente. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-assisted ultrasound analysis of senile dogs cataractous lens and identify its correlation to phacoemulsification surgical parameters. Simultaneous A- and B- mode ultrasonic evaluation of the lens was performed on 15 dogs with cataract. A computer-assisted image analysis was used to objectively calculate the lens echogenicity. Following ultrasonographic examination the cataracts were removed by phacoemulsification and the ultrasonographic and phacoemulsification findings were compared to identify possible correlations. Lens echogenicity obtained by the computer-assisted ultrasonographic analysis correlated to the phacoemulsification time, such that the whiter the ultrasound image, the longer was the phacoemulsification time. The B-mode ultrasonography was helpful for the prediction of lens opacity location, but not predictive of lens hardness. UNESP, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil University of Florida Department of Small and Large Animal Clinical Sciences UNESP, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 05/59086-5

Millions are rendered blind or exhibit visual impairment due to pathologies of the lens of the eye. Lens research therefore addresses the direct need to gain insights into the cellular and molecular basis of disease, but, moreover, serves as a valuable experimental system to answer fundamental biological questions. This themed issue showcases the scientific knowledge of the processes involved in the development, structure, ultrastructure, physiology and pathology of the lens and how this information has the potential to significantly further knowledge in various fields of research. The issue is divided into three main areas. Firstly, the lens is discussed as a developmental model for embryonic induction, as an elegant system for studying the role of growth factors in development, and for analysis of the molecular control and cellular basis of cellular differentiation. The genetic basis of disorders of lens development, including paediatric cataract (lens opacity), are also discussed in this section. Secondly, adult lens structure and ultrastructure are covered, as well as the lens as a model for homeostasis and solute exchange. Finally, the papers in the latter part of the special issue review lens pathology, including the lens as a model for normal and pathological ageing, vitreoretinal influences on lens function and cataract and the lens as a model for fibrotic disease. Overall, the articles highlight the lens as a continuing, very important and attractive model system for biologists working in many different research areas.

Twenty-two patients (44 eyes) with hypercholesterolemia were treated with simvastatin for 5 years. Complete health monitoring and ophthalmologic follow-up was performed. An electronic lens opacity measurement technique was also used during the last 18 months of the trial. Clinically important ocular changes during the 5 year follow-up were seen in one patient who discontinued treatment because of bilateral subcapsular opacities noticed after 13 months of treatment. These opacities were no longer present on reexamination at the end of the trial and visual acuity returned to normal. Average best corrected visual acuity remained almost unchanged (p = NS), one patient had a 0.3 reduction of best corrected visual acuity in both eyes, which was not lens-dependent. Electronic opacity measurement levels increased even less than could be expected based on patients' ages. After 5 months of follow-up, the average opacity level remained unchanged and after 18 months of follow-up, opacity levels increased slig...

AIM To investigate the examination of lens opacities in routine ophthalmic clinical practice. METHOD A questionnaire survey was mailed to 703 consultant ophthalmologists in the UK. The surgeons were asked which lens feature(s) they assessed in their clinics when deciding whether to offer cataract surgery. RESULTS 489 replies were received. A broad range of lens opacities was assessed, with differences between surgeons for some opacities with high prevalences in the population, particularly cortical opacities. Many (74% of 467) surgeons assessed one or more lens opacities (anterior subcapsular cataract, vacuoles, water clefts, coronary flakes, focal dots, retrodots, fibre folds) which may be visually important but which have received relatively little attention by researchers. CONCLUSIONS Some classes of lens opacity which are traditionally measured by researchers may be ignored in clinical practice and opacities which are traditionally ignored by some researchers are regarded as clinically important by a substantial number of surgeons.

Purpose To evaluate the difference of straylight value depending on the location of lens opacity and to study whether the straylight measurement is useful in deciding the surgery of early cataract. Methods 139 cataractous eyes were classified into posterior subcapsular opacity type, anterior subcapsular opacity type and diffuse nucleosclerosis type. Straylight values of each groups were measured. Straylight values of 28 patients(28 eyes) who complained visual disturbance despite good visual acuity were measured and compared with 28 control eyes. Postoperative straylight values and best corrected visual acuities of 28 patients were measured and compared with the preoperative values. Results Posterior subcapsular opacity group showed significantly high straylight values(p=0.000). Mean straylight values of 28 eyes(28 patients) and 28 control eyes were 2.04±0.91 and 1.56±0.29 respectively(p=0.002). This was well matched to the difference of self-reported visual quality scores of each group(45.1 points and 29.8 points). Postoperative straylight values decreased significantly than preoperative straylight values(p=0.000) in 28 patients. Self-reported visual quality was well related to the decrease of straylight values(from 45.1 points to 28.2 points). Conclusion Straylight value was significantly high in posterior subcapsular lens opacity. Straylight is found to have added value for visual quality assessment and it can be useful to determine the time of cataract surgery in early cataractous eyes.

Cataract is one of the most serious drug-induced side effects that can terminate the development of drug candidates, and pharmaceutical companies consider it important to evaluate cataract-inducing potential in the early phases. Metabonomics is expected to be a powerful approach for the safety evaluation of drug candidates. In this study, we conducted a toxicological characterization of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced cataract in rats by LC/MS-based metabonomic analysis. MNU was intraperitoneally administered once to 15-day old rats at 70 mg kg−1. After that, animals were kept for 3 weeks waiting for cataract formation. Lens samples for metabonomic analysis were collected on 7, 14 and 21 days after MNU administration. Comprehensive analyses of lens metabolites were conducted using an LC/MS system, and multivariate data for each sample were compared by principal component analysis (PCA) to find any changes in lens metabolites. Lens opacity was confirmed by ophthalmoscopy 14 days after dosing, and even by gross observation 21 days after dosing. PCA of the lens samples for the control and MNU-treated groups revealed that the metabolite profiles of lens differed from each other, and several lens metabolites, such as lots of α-amino acids and gluthathione, decreased after MNU treatment. In conclusion, metabonomic analysis enabled us to identify new marker candidates for cataract and provided a better understanding of the mechanism related to MNU-induced cataract. It was considered that metabonomics is a useful approach for the characterization of drug-induced toxicity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of radiation-associated lens opacities among interventional cardiologists and nurses and correlate with occupational radiation exposure. Background: Interventional cardiology personnel are exposed to relatively high levels of X-rays and based on recent findings of radiation-associated lens opacities in other cohorts, they may be at risk for cataract without use of ocular radiation protection. Methods: Eyes of interventional cardiologists, nurses, and age-and sex-matched unexposed controls were screened by dilated slit lamp examination and posterior lens changes graded using a modified Merriam-Focht technique. Individual cumulative lens X-ray exposure was calculated from responses to a questionnaire and personal interview. Results: The prevalence of radiation-associated posterior lens opacities was 52% (29/56, 95% CI: 35-73) for interventional cardiologists, 45% (5/11, 95% CI: 15-100) for nurses, and 9% (2/22, 95% CI: 1-33) for controls. Relative risks of lens opacity was 5.7 (95% CI: 1.5-22) for interventional cardiologists and 5.0 (95% CI: 1.2-21) for nurses. Estimated cumulative ocular doses ranged from 0.01 to 43 Gy with mean and median values of 3.4 and 1.0 Gy, respectively. A strong dose-response relationship was found between occupational exposure and the prevalence of radiation-associated posterior lens changes. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate a dose dependent increased risk of posterior lens opacities for interventional cardiologists and nurses when radiation protection tools are not used. While study of a larger cohort is needed to confirm these findings, the results suggest ocular radio-protection should be utilized. (C) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Aim: We report retrospectively on the change of the axial length of three high myopia patients who accept bilateral phacoemulsifi cation, but delayed their second eye operation more than 25 months. Methods: All the three observed patients delayed their second eye operation over 25month. The follow up time was more than 24 months after the second eye surgery. The measurements such as axial length and lens opacity were assessed. Results: The second eye operation was delayed 25, 33 and 48 months. The clinical observation showed the exacerbation of the cataract as the time going on. The axial length of delayed surgery eye was changed from 26.09, 26.28, 26.21 mm to 27.05, 26.85, 26.72 mm, but the fellow eyes was changed from 25.81, 31.48, 26.05 mm to 25.76, 31.63, 26.16 mm. The axial length was almost unchanged after the next follow up. Conclusion: Cataract may affect the axial length of high myopes in the adults. Physicians should be aware of the possible development of axial length in cataract patients with myopia.