Autoflourescence in cataractous human lens and its relationship to light scatter

Abstract

The autofluorescence profile of the lens was measured from 84 eyes of 84 patients with cortical, nuclear, posterior subcapsular, or mixed lens opacities. Measurements were performed with a fluorometer in the blue-green autofluorescence range (495 nm/520 nm). The mean maximum autofluorescence value differed in every cataract group statistically significantly from that of the age matched controls (p < or = 0.0058). The highest autofluorescence values were measured in nuclear and mixed cataract groups (p < 0.0001) with high and narrow autofluorescence profile. In cortical cataracts the curve was low and flattened and the mean maximum autofluorescence value was lower than in the control eyes (p < 0.0001). The maximum autofluorescence was related to lens coloration as well as to visual acuity only in nuclear cataract. The regression between maximum autofluorescence and light scatter was statistically significant only in the nuclear cataract group (p = 0.0004). Since the autofluorescence profiles differed not only in height but also in width between the cataract groups, various width/maximum autofluorescence ratios were measured. In nuclear and mixed cataract groups the ratio 75% width/maximum autofluorescence was statistically significantly lower than in other groups (p < 0.0001). In cortical cataracts the ratio (50% width - 75% width)/maximum autofluorescence was statistically significantly higher than in other groups (p < 0.0001).

Ocular autofluorescence in diabetes mellitus. A review

“…Lens AF measurement is a practical clinical technique to assess the yellow coloration and opalescence of the human lens nucleus. So, this measurement technique, together with opacity grading, could be a useful tool for monitoring optical changes in the nuclear zone of the crystalline lens and as a measure of cumulative tissue damage due to increased sugar in the plasma and interstitial fluids …”

Influence of lens autofluorescence on retinal nerve fiber layer evaluation

“…We have previously shown a statistically significant correlation between the blue-green AF and the nucleus colour (Siik et al 1993). Now we could demonstrate that there is a statistically significant correlation between the lens AF and the visibility of the RNFL in black-andwhite images.…”

“…The device produces a graphic fluorescence profile which consists of anterior and posterior peaks and a central plateau. AF profiles differ not only in height, but also in width and shape between various cataract grades and types (Siik et al 1993). The shape of the A F curve reflects the transmission properties of the lens better than the maximum AF value which increases with age (Siik et al 1991).…”

“…We have previously shown that the blue-green autofluorescence (AF) of the human lens increases with age and with the degree of nuclear cataract (Siik et al 1991(Siik et al ,1993. Age-related and cataractous changes in human lens interfere with retinal image by scattering as well as absorption and AF of light, particularly at short wavelengths (Lerman & Borkman 1976).…”

Long-term development of lens fluorescence in a twin cohort: Heritability and effects of age and lifestyle

“…This has been of particular interest in diabetes mellitus [ 15 ], although clinical utility has been limited due to a considerable interindividual variation in lens fluorescence that can only partially be explained by known covariates [ 14 ]. A study of healthy subjects did not find evidence of a significant association of lens fluorescence with accommodative amplitude [ 16 – 18 ], but other studies have shown an association with nuclear cataract [ 19 – 23 ]. Because lens fluorophores tend to be yellow, it has been suggested that lens fluorometry may be useful for the assessment of cataract development [ 20 , 21 ].…”