Initial Approaches for Manipulation of Human Lens for Irradiation in a Solar Simulator: A Study for Cataract

Abstract

There are evidences that ultraviolet radiation has an intimate relationship with cataract in the human lens. However, there is no complete proof that ultraviolet radiation is the cause of cataracts or either acceleration of this pathology. This disease is characterized by increased absorption and scattering of light through at the lens which leads to decreased light transmission to the retina, resulting in poor vision, and eventually leading to blindness. The objective of this study is to analyze the spectroscopy of a human lens and different culture media to determine which solution is most suitable for the development of a future experimental protocol for solar irradiation of the lens. A holder to accommodate the lens was developed, since there is no consensus on the best way to manipulate the lens to avoid its opacification. We performed the spectroscopy of a human lens and three different culture media (saline solution, TC199 with phenol-red and TC199 without phenol). The preliminary result of the lens spectroscopy is in agreement with one described in the literature, demonstrating that the lens holder did not interfere in the measurement. In conclusion, the lens holder can be used to avoid lens manipulation and probable opacification. Among the analyzed media, the saline solution proved to be the most adequate because it does not absorb light in the ultraviolet range and therefore can be used in a solar simulator, as a strategy to prevent dryness of the lens. These findings are important for future experiments involving the human lens and solar irradiation to determine if the effects of chronic exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet solar radiation has any relation with cataract development.