Racial Differences of Lens Transparency Properties with Aging and Prevalence of Age-Related Cataract Applying a WHO Classification System

Sasaki, Kohsuke; Sekiya, Hiroshi; Jónasson, Friðbert; Kojima, Masami; Cheng, Hong

doi:10.1159/000081636

Cited by 32 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Epidemiological studies using slit lamp and Scheimpflug camera observations have shown that, in temperate regions of the world, cortical cataract is by far the most prevalent age-related cataract, about four times more common than nuclear opacification [41,87,88].…”

Section: Age-related Cataract (A) Forms Of Cataractmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ageing lens and cataract: a model of normal and pathological ageing

Michael

Bron

2011

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

387

288

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Cataract is a visible opacity in the lens substance, which, when located on the visual axis, leads to visual loss. Age-related cataract is a cause of blindness on a global scale involving genetic and environmental influences. With ageing, lens proteins undergo non-enzymatic, post-translational modification and the accumulation of fluorescent chromophores, increasing susceptibility to oxidation and cross-linking and increased light-scatter. Because the human lens grows throughout life, the lens core is exposed for a longer period to such influences and the risk of oxidative damage increases in the fourth decade when a barrier to the transport of glutathione forms around the lens nucleus. Consequently, as the lens ages, its transparency falls and the nucleus becomes more rigid, resisting the change in shape necessary for accommodation. This is the basis of presbyopia. In some individuals, the steady accumulation of chromophores and complex, insoluble crystallin aggregates in the lens nucleus leads to the formation of a brown nuclear cataract. The process is homogeneous and the affected lens fibres retain their gross morphology. Cortical opacities are due to changes in membrane permeability and enzyme function and shear-stress damage to lens fibres with continued accommodative effort. Unlike nuclear cataract, progression is intermittent, stepwise and non-uniform.

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Section: Age-related Cataract (A) Forms Of Cataractmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ageing lens and cataract: a model of normal and pathological ageing

Michael

Bron

2011

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

387

288

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“…The prevalence of the 3 main types of age-related cataracts differs in different regions of the world and in different racial groups [5] . However, in all areas and populations, PSCs are least common.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxidative Damage and the Prevention of Age-Related Cataracts

Beebe

Holekamp²,

Shui³

2010

Ophthalmic Res

219

158

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Purpose: Cataracts are often considered to be an unavoidable consequence of aging. Oxidative damage is a major cause or consequence of cortical and nuclear cataracts, the most common types of age-related cataracts. Methods: In this review, we consider the different risk factors, natural history and etiology of each of the 3 major types of age-related cataract, as well as the potential sources of oxidative injury to the lens and the mechanisms that protect against these insults. The evidence linking different oxidative stresses to the different types of cataracts is critically evaluated. Results: We conclude from this analysis that the evidence for a causal role of oxidation is strong for nuclear, but substantially lower for cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts. The preponderance of evidence suggests that exposure to increased levels of molecular oxygen accelerates the age-related opacification of the lens nucleus, leading to nuclear cataract. Factors in the eye that maintain low oxygen partial pressure around the lens are, therefore, important in protecting the lens from nuclear cataract. Conclusions: Maintaining or restoring the low oxygen partial pressure around that lens should decrease or prevent nuclear cataracts.

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“…The lens transparency property in diabetic patients who have a predisposition for cataract is said to be higher than that in nondiabetic patients. 13 We also compared the lens transparency property in Icelandic, Japanese, and Singaporean subjects with transparent lenses 14 and found that the property in Singaporeans, whose incidence of cataract is significantly higher than that in Icelanders and Japanese, significantly exceeded that in the other 2 groups and that lens transparency property is an appropriate index of aging change of the entire lens. In this study, we found a significant correlation between lens transparency property and retinal image contrast.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%