Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmic Res 2006;38:137-148 (DOI: 10.1159/000090645)

  Key Words

• Presbyopia
• Age-related nuclear cataract
• Lens transport barrier

  Abstract

Presbyopia, the inability to accommodate, affects almost everyone at middle age. Recently, it has been shown that there is a massive increase in the stiffness¹ of the lens with age and, since the shape of the lens must change during accommodation, this could provide an explanation for presbyopia. In this review, we propose that presbyopia may be the earliest observable symptom of age-related nuclear (ARN) cataract. ARN cataract is a major cause of world blindness. The genesis of ARN cataract can be traced to the onset of a barrier within the lens at middle age. This barrier restricts the ability of small molecules, such as antioxidants, to penetrate into the centre of the lens leaving the proteins in this region susceptible to oxidation and post-translational modification. Major protein oxidation and colouration are the hallmarks of ARN cataract. We postulate that the onset of the barrier, and the hardening of the nucleus, are intimately linked. Specifically, we propose that progressive age-dependent hardening of the lens nucleus may be responsible for both presbyopia and ARN cataract.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

R.J.W. Truscott
Save Sight Institute
Sydney, NSW, 2001 (Australia)
Tel. +61 2 4221 3503, Fax +61 2 4221 4287
E-Mail rjwt@uow.edu.au

  Article Information

Received: July 13, 2005
Accepted after revision: November 8, 2005
Published online: January 3, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 12
Number of Figures : 5, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 148