Chemical and physical properties of the normal and aging lens: spectroscopic (UV, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and NMR) analyses

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Am. J. Optom. Physiol. Opt.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00006324-198701000-00003· OSTI ID:6858271

Lerman, S

In vitro (UV absorption, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)) spectroscopic studies on the normal human lens demonstrate age-related changes which can be correlated with biochemical and photobiologic mechanisms occurring during our lifetime. Chronic cumulative UV exposure results in an age-related increase of photochemically induced chromophores and in color of the lens nucleus. This enables the lens to filter the incident UV radiation, thereby protecting the underlying aging retina from UV photodamage. We have measured the age-related increase in lens fluorescence in vivo on more than 300 normal subjects (1st to 9th decade) by UV slitlamp densitography. These data show a good correlation with the in vitro lens fluorescence studies reported previously and demonstrate that molecular photodamage can be monitored in the lens. In vitro NMR (human and animal lenses) and in vivo experiments currently in progress are rapidly elucidating the physicochemical basis for transparency and the development of light scattering areas. Surface scanning NMR can monitor organophosphate metabolism in the ocular lens in vivo as well as in vitro. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of using biophysical methods (optical spectroscopy and NMR analyses) to delineate age-related parameters in the lens, in vivo as well as in vitro. 46 references.

• Research Organization: Emory Univ., Atlanta, GA
• OSTI ID: 6858271
• Journal Information: Am. J. Optom. Physiol. Opt.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. J. Optom. Physiol. Opt.; (United States) Vol. 1; ISSN AOPOC
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE DEPENDENCE
AGING
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
CRYSTALLINE LENS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EYES
FACE
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLUORESCENCE
HEAD
LUMINESCENCE
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RESONANCE
SENSE ORGANS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION