Abstract
Background: Cataract is one of the most common age-related vision deteriorations, leading to opacification of the lens and therefore visual impairment as well as blindness. Both cataract extraction and the implantation of blue light filtering lens are believed to improve not only vision but also overall functioning. Methods: Thirty-four cataract patients were subject to resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging before and after cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation (IOL). Global and local graph metrics were calculated in order to investigate the reorganization of functional network architecture associated with alterations in blue light transmittance. Psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) was conducted. Results: Graph theory-based analysis revealed decreased eigenvector centrality after the cataract extraction and IOL replacement in inferior occipital gyrus, superior parietal gyrus and many cerebellum regions as well as increased clustering coefficient in superior and inferior parietal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus and various cerebellum regions. PVT results revealed significant change between experimental sessions as patients responded faster after IOL replacement. Moreover, a few regions were correlated with the difference in blue light transmittance and the time reaction in PVT. Conclusion: Current study revealed substantial functional network architecture reorganization associated with cataract extraction and alteration in blue light transmittance.
Highlights
Ageing entails numerous changes affecting the brain and eyes, which are strongly connected with each other functionally and anatomically [1,2]
Cataract extraction is a surgical procedure involving the removal of a natural lens and implanting the intraocular one (IOL) with a blue light filter or without it
The purpose of our research is to study the consequences of cataract extraction and change in the amount of blue light that reaches the retina after this intervention on the brain functional network architecture reorganization
Summary
Ageing entails numerous changes affecting the brain and eyes, which are strongly connected with each other functionally and anatomically [1,2]. Due to the accumulation of chromophores the natural lens become more yellow during ageing [6] and, filter the blue light reaching the retina This particular part of the spectrum is crucial for entrainment of the circadian system and has significant effects on alerting and cognitive responses [7]. The above observations may suggest such improvement in brain functioning as vision-related quality of life, cognitive impairment and depressive state, which are believed to be strongly connected with each other [10]. The purpose of our research is to study the consequences of cataract extraction and change in the amount of blue light that reaches the retina after this intervention on the brain functional network architecture reorganization. We strongly believe the aforementioned analyses can enrich the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of cognitive deficits associated with vision impairments
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