This methodology permits a sensitive, quantitative, clinically useful representation of the pre-cataractous molecular changes associated with aging in the living human lens.

The formation of clinically recognized cataract is the culmination of progressive development of light scattering structures within the ocular lens. These structures scatter a portion of the light that would normally be transmitted to the retina, thereby reducing image clarity and degrading vision. Another portion of the scattered light exits the eye entirely. This backscattered light finds widespread use as a means of describing and quantitating cataract.