Ultrasonic and biochemical characteristics of human nuclear cataract

Abstract

In this work we intended to evaluate and compare visual function with the biochemical characteristics of nuclear proteins, to evaluate the influence of nuclear cataract changes to ultrasonic attenuation and try to make quantitative description of human nuclear cataract. The sample consisted of 28 patients. In-vivo examination of cataract lens by A/B ultrasonic imaging system using 7 MHz A-mode probe was performed and ultrasound attenuation coefficient was calculated. Radio frequency echo-signals from lens where digitised by oscilloscope. Visual impairment in nuclear cataract patients is related to the grade of nuclear opacity, nuclear color. Nuclear opacity and nuclear color grade is related to the decrease in the amount of soluble proteins in the lens nucleus. Visual function as the indirect indicator of lens light transmission was associated with the decreased amount of soluble proteins. The association between ultrasound attenuation and amount of soluble proteins in the nucleus is significant. The analysis of the results suggests the possibility for investigating non-invasively cataract severity by measuring the ultrasound attenuation characteristics of the lens.