A New Method of Measuring in vivo the Lens Transmittance, and Study of Lens Scatter, Fluorescence and Transmittance

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Abstract
A new method was proposed to measure in vivo nuclear transmittance using scanning photometry, thus complementing its parent application in measuring lens scatter and fluorescence. This method of measuring the transmittance was compared with a previously reported in vivo method; an adequate correlation was found. The fluorescence, scatter and transmittance of lenses without cataract and those with as much as a mild yellowing were measured. The 3 phenomena correlated with age. This study allowed a correlation of the 3 phenomena with each other, indicating that the loss of transmittance of the nucleus cannot be explained by its thickening alone but that changes in its composition must take place. A preliminary study on diabetics showed early onset of the process responsible for the increase in lens fluorescence. This process did not seem to be accelerated in diabetics in comparison with normals. The nuclear scatter appeared to increase more rapidly with age in nondiabetics as compared to diabetics. Scanning photometry may be used to study aging and pathologic changes in the lens.