Autofluorescence of the crystalline lens in diabetes
M. A. Mosier, J. R. Occhipinti and N. L. Burstein
Lenticular autofluorescence in a diabetic population was quantitated by
scanning ocular fluorophotometry. Measurements were made through the lens
along the optical axis. The profile of the scan from front to rear was
characterized by anterior and posterior juxtacortical peaks and a central
plateau. Maximum fluorescence values were compared with those of
nondiabetic control subjects. Fluorescence increased linearly with age in
both populations, but was significantly higher in the diabetic population
of all ages. Posterior to anterior fluorescence peak ratios decreased as a
parabolic function of age in both populations, but peak ratios were lower
in the diabetic population. We conclude that in vivo measurements of lens
autofluorescence correlate with premature lenticular senescence in
diabetes.
