Method for quantifying optical properties of the human lens

Patent · Tue Apr 13 04:00:00 EDT 1999

OSTI ID:350324

Loree, T R; Bigio, I J; Zuclich, J A; Shimada, Tsutomu; Strobl, K

A method is disclosed for quantifying optical properties of the human lens. The present invention includes the application of fiberoptic, OMA-based instrumentation as an in vivo diagnostic tool for the human ocular lens. Rapid, noninvasive and comprehensive assessment of the optical characteristics of a lens using very modest levels of exciting light are described. Typically, the backscatter and fluorescence spectra (from about 300- to 900-nm) elicited by each of several exciting wavelengths (from about 300- to 600-nm) are collected within a few seconds. The resulting optical signature of individual lenses is then used to assess the overall optical quality of the lens by comparing the results with a database of similar measurements obtained from a reference set of normal human lenses having various ages. Several metrics have been identified which gauge the optical quality of a given lens relative to the norm for the subject`s chronological age. These metrics may also serve to document accelerated optical aging and/or as early indicators of cataract or other disease processes. 8 figs.

• Research Organization: University of California
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Univ. of California, Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5,894,340/A/
• Application Number: PAN: 8-744,678
• OSTI ID: 350324
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
CATARACTS
CRYSTALLINE LENS
DIAGNOSIS
FIBER OPTICS
MAN
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEDICINE
OPTICAL PROPERTIES