Eye Cataract Research Articles

An Assessment of Contemporary Methods and Data-Enabled Approaches for Early Cataract Detection

Background: Cataracts are common causes of visual impairment. Preventing blindness requires an early and accurate diagnosis. This review examines current cataract diagnosis strategies, explores data-driven machine learning algorithms for early detection, investigates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) approaches, assesses improvements in cataract detection accuracy, identifies research gaps, and provides recommendations for future studies. Methods: We gathered labelled cataract and non-cataract fundus data from the Kaggle. Scholarly publications were sourced from reliable databases such as ProQuest, IEEE, ELSEVIER, Google Scholar, and PubMed. A detailed literature search with specific terms expanded the scope of this review. We included studies that used cataract and non-cataract fundus eye images from cross-sectional, retrospective, and prospective studies. The quality assessment used the AMSTAR tool, considering factors such as literature search comprehensiveness, study selection criteria, data extraction methodologies, and study validity (Table 1). Results: This study encompassed 130 research publications, focusing on machine learning models and clinical-based diagnostic approaches for early-stage cataract identification. The performance of machine-learning models is influenced by factors such as dataset noise and limited reliable data. Barriers to the successful implementation of AI for cataract diagnosis were identified. Conclusions: This review emphasises the obstacles hindering the broad application of AI in cataract diagnosis. Addressing these findings is vital for developing strategies to overcome these challenges and enhance cataract detection systems. To achieve improved accuracy and efficiency in cataract diagnosis, future research should prioritise efforts to enhance dataset availability and quality, reduce data noise, and refine machine-learning algorithms. Unlocking the full potential of AI and/or machine learning can lead to significant breakthroughs in cataract diagnosis, ultimately resulting in better patient outcomes and reduced visual impairments.

Introduction and Validation of Low-Cost Ocular Biometry in Healthy and Cataractous Eyes Using a Thermally Tunable Swept-Source Laser

To introduce and validate a novel substantially lower-priced and rapid swept-source investigational optical biometer in healthy and cataractous eyes, using a thermally tuned laser diode used extensively in cell phones and data communication as an alternative swept source. Prospective accuracy, validity, and reliability analysis. A total of 60 eyes of 59 subjects (29 eyes of 29 healthy subjects and 31 eyes of 30 cataract patients) were enrolled in a prospective comparative study at the Vienna General Hospital between August 2021 and April 2023. Averaged intraocular distances were acquired in 2.5 seconds from datasets consisting of 5000 consecutive A-scans at a single position by a low-cost swept-source optical biometry (SSOB) system. Instrument repeatability was assessed via standard deviations (SDs) and coefficients of variation (CoVs) of parameters such as axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and central corneal thickness (CCT). Healthy subjects and cataract patients were subsequently measured on the same day with the SSOB and a referential partial coherence interferometry (PCI) biometer (IOLMaster 500) to establish AL inter-device correlation (r) for instrument calibration. AL and ACD as shared parameters between both biometers were evaluated for their limits of agreements (LoA) using Bland-Altman analysis. Repeated measurements of AL, ACD, LT, and CCT revealed SDs of 18 µm, 12 µm, 12 µm, and 10 µm, respectively. All parameters except for CCT had a COV <1%. Except for 1 eye with white cataract, 59 eyes of 59 study participants with various degrees and types of cataract could be measured with both devices. The AL inter-device correlation was excellent (r > 0.99). The 95% LoAs between both biometers were -0.14 to 0.13 mm for AL and -0.28 to 0.25 mm for ACD. Optical biometry using a thermally tunable VCSEL swept-source light source has the potential to provide clinically relevant biometric parameters at an unprecedented 100-fold lower price point than currently used state-of-the-art optical biometers, paving the way for compact devices in remote care settings.

Lens Thickness in Infants and Children with Cataracts

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the association between lens thickness and cataract in subjects aged 0-5 years. DesignThis was a prospective multi-center case-control study. ParticipantsWe enrolled 118 participants (171 eyes) age 0-5 years old, mean age 14.6 ± 17.0 months, range 0 - 60 months. MethodsLens thickness was measured on 342 ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) images. Main Outcome MeasuresLens thickness; feasibility of lens thickness measurement from UBM images ResultsMean lens thickness among non-cataracts was 3.60 ± 0.17 mm, compared to 3.16 ± 0.61 mm among cataracts (p<0.0001). Lens thickness less than 3.5 mm was significantly associated with increased odds of cataract, adjusted OR=5.99 [2.41,14.88] (p=0.0003) among subjects age 0-7 months. Lens thickness was significantly associated with cataract laterality among subjects age 0-7 months (p<0.0001). ConclusionsQuantitative UBM can be used to evaluate lens thickness in infants and children with congenital cataracts. The lens in congenital cataract eyes was thinner than that of controls among infants. Abnormal lens thickness was significantly associated with cataract. Future longitudinal studies will examine the association between lens thickness and post-cataract surgery outcomes.

PUNCTATE INNER CHOROIDOPATHY FOLLOWING PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY FOR HIGH MYOPIC FULL THICKNESS MACULAR HOLE.

To describe a case of punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) and secondary or epiphenomenon multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (EpiMEWDS) following surgery for high myopic full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). Case report. A 57-year-old high myopic female was diagnosed with cataract and FTMH in the left eye. Her initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in her right eye and 20/80 in the left eye. She underwent routine combined phacoemulsification and 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with the inverted internal limiting membrane (ILM) technique and twice-repeated epiretinal membrane (ERM) and ILM staining in the left eye. Two weeks postoperatively, the patient reported significant visual decline and photopsia in her left eye. BCVA decreased to counting fingers. Anterior segment examination was unremarkable. Ophthalmoscopic examination showed multiple whitish-yellow lesions in the macular region compatible with PIC lesions in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), blue-light fundus autofluorescence (BAF), fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography were performed and confirmed the diagnosis. The patient underwent oral steroid therapy for PIC treatment. One week after treatment initiation, BAF showed the occurrence of EpiMEWDS. After one month, all lesions resolved and BCVA improved to 20/100. We report a rare case of PIC and EpiMEWDS development following surgery for FTMH. We hypothesize that several causes, including individual susceptibility (high myopia and female gender), post-surgical inflammation, and/or dye toxicity due to repeated staining could have amplified this inflammatory chorioretinal response. Larger studies are needed to better understand the potential triggers of PIC development after surgery.

The output of cataract surgery performed by trained non-ophthalmologist physicians in rural areas: study of cataract outcomes and up-take of services report 7.

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and surgery can restore vision in most patients. Some patients have little access to surgical services due to lack of cataract surgeons and the unaffordable costs. In 2005 we built a service model that trained rural non-ophthalmologist physicians to perform cataract surgeries in rural China. This study evaluates the long-term impacts of this model. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to analyze patients' hand-written medical records and electronic outpatient record between January 2005 and December 2019 at two rural health clinics in Southern China. In total, 34,601 patients (49,942 eyes) underwent cataract surgery by non-ophthalmologist physicians from 2005 to 2019.Visual acuity was clearly documented in 38,251 eyes. Before surgery, the unaided distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 60.7% (23,205/38,251) eyes was less than 0.05 decimal. On the first day after surgery, the percentage of UDVA < 0.05 eyes was reduced to 6.0%, and 96.7% (36,980/38,251) of the eyes achieved a better UDVA compared to pre-operation. Surgical-related complications occurred in 218 eyes. The most common complication was posterior capsule rupture (114, 0.23%). 44.3% (15,341/34,601) of the patients chose to have a second eye cataract surgery (SECS) in the same clinic. At one of the outpatient clinics, 21,595 patients received basic eye care apart from cataract surgery between 2018 and 2020. Non-ophthalmologist physicians trained for cataract surgeries in rural clinics can improve cataract related visual acuity and basic eye care to the local population.

Evaluation of Different Corneal Powers Measured by Corneal Tomography in Intraocular Lens Power Calculation

Abstract Background Corneal power measurement is essential for IOL power calculation. Conventional keratometry measures the anterior corneal surface using a standard keratometric index without measuring the posterior corneal surface. Schiempflug imaging have added the ability to measure posterior corneal surface which may affect IOL power calculation and postoperative refraction. Purpose To evaluate different keratometric measurements including Simulated keratometry (SimK), true net power (TNP), total corneal refractive power (TCRP) and equivalent K reading (EKR) obtained from corneal tomography in IOL power calculation and compare the predicted refraction of calculated IOL power with postoperative subjective refraction. Materials and Methods Sixty-five cataractous eyes were included in this prospective interventional case series. Four corneal power measurements using Pentacam AXL were analyzed: SimK over 3mm, TNP over 4mm, TCRP over 3mm and EKR over 4.5mm. The IOL power was calculated using Barrett Universal II formula. Results No statistically significant difference between SimK and EKR (p- value=1.000) while TNP and TCRP were statistically significantly higher than SimK (p-value&amp;lt;0.001) with mean difference 1.2+/-0.2D and 0.67+/-0.34D respectively. The mean prediction error of refractive outcome was -0.006+/-0.32D for SimK, -0.02+/- 0.5D for EKR, 1.08+/-0.4D for TNP and 0.56+/-0.46D for TCRP. Conclusion Corneal power measurements using SimK and EKR displayed comparable accuracy in IOL power calculation and postoperative refraction while TNP and TCRP were far away.

Bilateral cataract related to the use of methylphenidate in a 10-year-old girl

The purpose of the case report is to highlight the fact that the use of methylphenidate (MPH) treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) causes bilateral cataracts. A 10-year-old girl was referred to us for blurred vision using MPH 30 mg/day for four years. A complete cataract in the right eye with a perception of light visual acuity (VA) and a posterior subcapsular cataract in the left eye with 6/20 VA were observed. After cataract surgery, VA was 20/20 in both eyes. Increasing norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the aqueous with the use of MPH may induce the inflammation that causes cataract.

Overcoming the challenges of cataract blindness in Nigeria: An action plan for ophthalmologists

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the eye care provider factors responsible for low cataract surgical rates (CSRs) in Nigeria and to develop an action plan to boost the CSR. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of ophthalmologists practicing in Nigeria. An online questionnaire was distributed via E-mail and social media platforms to respondents. Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, type, and location of the eye hospital where respondents practiced, cataract surgeries performed monthly, frequency and type of outreach activities by the eye hospitals, barriers to uptake of cataract surgery at the hospitals, and suggestions on measures to overcome such barriers. Statistical analysis was done using IBM-SPSS version 20, and the level of significance was P &lt; 0.05. Results: A total of 201 ophthalmologists responded to the survey. Majority (88.0%) were practicing in university or government hospitals while only 8 (4.0%) were working in mission hospitals. The average monthly cataract surgeries performed per hospital ranged from 0 to 600, with a median of 30 surgeries. Mission hospitals were more likely to perform ≥50 cataract surgeries per month compared to other hospitals (P = 0.003). Majority (75.1%) of hospitals organized outreach activities to identify cataract patients. Higher frequency of outreach activities (P = 0.028) and combining surgery with screening (P = 0.036) were associated with a higher likelihood that the cataract patients that were identified received surgery. Conclusion: The conduct of frequent outreach activities in which eye screening and cataract surgery are combined should boost CSRs and reduce the burden of cataract blindness in Nigeria.

A Case of Pituitary Rathke’s Cleft Cyst Associated with Decreased Visual Acuity after Cataract Surgery

Purpose: To report a case of suprasellar Rathke's cleft cyst accompanying visual field defect found in a patient complaining of decreased visual acuity after cataract surgery.Case Summary: A 62-year-old male patient who showed a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.6 after left eye cataract surgery visited our hospital two months after surgery with decreased vision. He showed a best corrected visual acuity of 0.2, did not have relative afferent pupillary defect, and there were no specific findings on fundus examination. In the full field perimetry test, partial visual field loss in superior temporal quadrants were found in both eyes, being more prominent in left eye. In ganglion cell layer measurements using optical coherence tomography, a symmetric thinning in the thickness of the nasal ganglion cell layer was observed in both eyes, which was consistent with the visual field test. It was discovered that a liquid solid mass with a diameter of 21 mm in the upper part of the pituitary gland was compressing the optic chiasm in orbit magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was then referred to neurosurgery for pituitary surgery using transsphenoidal approach and diagnosed with Rathke's cleft cyst on histopathologic examination. Three months after surgery, the BCVA has increased to 0.5 and the visual field test showed no scotoma.Conclusions: We report a case that Rathke's cleft cyst above the sella turcica inducing visual disturbances, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment through neuroophthalmological evaluation in a patient presenting with unexplained visual impairment.

A Case of Unexplained Opacity of an Intraocular Lens

The patient is an elderly female, 81 years old. On September 24, 2022, he was admitted to the hospital for "blurred vision in his right eye, photophobia and tears for more than 1 year". The patient complained that he had undergone phacoemulsification resection intraocular lens implantation of cataract in the right eye in a hospital in Liling City in 2020 due to blurred vision in both eyes for more than 3 years , and the blurred vision was reduced after surgery. Now due to the blurred vision of the right eye, which is progressively worsening and the vision is decreasing, he came to our hospital for treatment.

Charles Kelman: The Father of Phacoemulsification.

Charles D. Kelman was a brilliant American ophthalmologist who revolutionized cataract surgery by introducing phacoemulsification to replace extracapsular cataract extraction. He used an ultrasonic probe to emulsify and aspirate the lens through a small incision (3-4 mm). Kelman's technique met initial resistance at first, but it gained global acceptance after proving its safety and effectiveness in the management of cataractous eyes, and it has been the preferred technique untilnow. Today, the entire surgery is performed in 5-7 minutes. This technique also helped to reduce hospitalization after the surgical removal of a cataract. Kelman is one of the greatest surgeons of the last century.

EYE-YOLO: a multi-spatial pyramid pooling and Focal-EIOU loss inspired tiny YOLOv7 for fundus eye disease detection

PurposeThe purpose of this work is to present an approach for autonomous detection of eye disease in fundus images. Furthermore, this work presents an improved variant of the Tiny YOLOv7 model developed specifically for eye disease detection. The model proposed in this work is a highly useful tool for the development of applications for autonomous detection of eye diseases in fundus images that can help and assist ophthalmologists.Design/methodology/approachThe approach adopted to carry out this work is twofold. Firstly, a richly annotated dataset consisting of eye disease classes, namely, cataract, glaucoma, retinal disease and normal eye, was created. Secondly, an improved variant of the Tiny YOLOv7 model was developed and proposed as EYE-YOLO. The proposed EYE-YOLO model has been developed by integrating multi-spatial pyramid pooling in the feature extraction network and Focal-EIOU loss in the detection network of the Tiny YOLOv7 model. Moreover, at run time, the mosaic augmentation strategy has been utilized with the proposed model to achieve benchmark results. Further, evaluations have been carried out for performance metrics, namely, precision, recall, F1 Score, average precision (AP) and mean average precision (mAP).FindingsThe proposed EYE-YOLO achieved 28% higher precision, 18% higher recall, 24% higher F1 Score and 30.81% higher mAP than the Tiny YOLOv7 model. Moreover, in terms of AP for each class of the employed dataset, it achieved 9.74% higher AP for cataract, 27.73% higher AP for glaucoma, 72.50% higher AP for retina disease and 13.26% higher AP for normal eye. In comparison to the state-of-the-art Tiny YOLOv5, Tiny YOLOv6 and Tiny YOLOv8 models, the proposed EYE-YOLO achieved 6–23.32% higher mAP.Originality/valueThis work addresses the problem of eye disease recognition as a bounding box regression and detection problem. Whereas, the work in the related research is largely based on eye disease classification. The other highlight of this work is to propose a richly annotated dataset for different eye diseases useful for training deep learning-based object detectors. The major highlight of this work lies in the proposal of an improved variant of the Tiny YOLOv7 model focusing on eye disease detection. The proposed modifications in the Tiny YOLOv7 aided the proposed model in achieving better results as compared to the state-of-the-art Tiny YOLOv8 and YOLOv8 Nano.

Intraocular Pressure Changes after Phacoemulsification with Posterior Vitreous Tap in Cataractous Eyes with Shallow Anterior Chamber

Intraocular Pressure Changes after Phacoemulsification with Posterior Vitreous Tap in Cataractous Eyes with Shallow Anterior Chamber

Accuracy of Intraocular lens power calculation in pediatric traumatic cataract.

To evaluate the prediction error (PE) in pediatric traumatic cataract surgery involving primary or secondary intraocular lens implantation (IOL) and the factors affecting it. Retrospective data of unilateral traumatic cataract eyes of children aged ≤16 years were collected between February 2019 and March 2022 at a tertiary eye care hospital. Absolute PE was calculated by deducting the target refraction from the observed refraction at 6 weeks postsurgery following suture removal. Simulated PE was calculated in eyes with corneal scar replacing the affected eye keratometry (K) with the K of the fellow eye and standard K (44D) and was then compared with absolute PE. Fifty children with a mean age of 9.5 years (2-16 years) were included. Mean absolute PE was 1.63 ± 1.8D (0 to 9D). Absolute PE was not affected by the age at surgery, method of biometry, duration of injury, type of cataract surgery, position of IOL, and preoperative keratometry. The absolute PE was affected by axial length (AXL) being <1.5D in AXL of 22.73 ± 0.84 mm, <1.5-2D in AXL of 22.07 ± 0.61 mm, and >2D in AXL of 22.01 ± 0.74 mm (P = 0.039) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, none of the factors affected the absolute PE. In 34 eyes with corneal scar, higher variability in PE was observed. The standard K resulted in greater simulated PE as compared to the affected eye average K in eyes with scar involving the visual axis. Absolute PE following pediatric traumatic cataract was studied. It was higher in shorter AXLs. In corneal scar involving the visual axis, using the fellow eye K yielded lesser simulated PE as compared to standard K.

Continuing benefits of the Montreal Protocol and protection of the stratospheric ozone layer for human health and the environment

The protection of Earth’s stratospheric ozone (O3) is an ongoing process under the auspices of the universally ratified Montreal Protocol and its Amendments and adjustments. A critical part of this process is the assessment of the environmental issues related to changes in O3. The United Nations Environment Programme’s Environmental Effects Assessment Panel provides annual scientific evaluations of some of the key issues arising in the recent collective knowledge base. This current update includes a comprehensive assessment of the incidence rates of skin cancer, cataract and other skin and eye diseases observed worldwide; the effects of UV radiation on tropospheric oxidants, and air and water quality; trends in breakdown products of fluorinated chemicals and recent information of their toxicity; and recent technological innovations of building materials for greater resistance to UV radiation. These issues span a wide range of topics, including both harmful and beneficial effects of exposure to UV radiation, and complex interactions with climate change. While the Montreal Protocol has succeeded in preventing large reductions in stratospheric O3, future changes may occur due to a number of natural and anthropogenic factors. Thus, frequent assessments of potential environmental impacts are essential to ensure that policies remain based on the best available scientific knowledge.Graphical abstract

Lens subluxation combined with parry-romberg syndrome: case report

BackgroundParry-Romberg syndrome (PRS) is a rare progressive degenerative disorder of unknown etiology. Here we report a rare case of PRS combined with lens subluxation in Eye and ENT hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai. To our knowledge, it is the first reported case of PRS combined with lens subluxation that has been managed surgically with phacoemulsification and CTR placement and IOL implantation in Shanghai.Case presentationA 60-year-old woman was referred for “right visual blur for 2 years” and had persistent right facial paralysis of unknown etiology since the age 12. She had right facial muscle atrophy and paralysis. Eye examination also showed the right eyelid pseudoptosis, enophthalmos, age-related cataract combined with lens subluxation existed in the right eye. The patient was diagnosed as age-related cataract and lens subluxation in the right eye and progressive hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome). We conducted a combined phacoemulsification, IOL and CTR implantation and pupilloplasty surgery for the patient under general anesthesia and the postoperative UCVA was 20/30 and remained for 1 year’s follow up.ConclusionsHere we reported a rare case of PHA combined with lens subluxation in China. After appropriate eye surgery, the patient achieved satisfying vision result in the right eye.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy analysis of ciliary muscle dynamics and its relation to intra-ocular pressure after phacoemulsification in dogs.

This study investigates the relationship between ciliary muscle dynamics, thickness, and the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP), focusing on the progression of cataracts and changes post-phacoemulsification. It explores how these factors impact canine ocular health, particularly in the context of cataract development and subsequent surgical intervention. Data was collected using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy (UBM) from dogs at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Chungbuk National University, Korea. The study involved 57 eyes from 35 dogs, categorized into five groups: 13 normal eyes, 14 with incipient cataracts, 12 with immature cataracts, 6 with mature cataracts, and 12 post-phacoemulsification. UBM measurements assessed various ciliary muscle parameters including ciliary body axial length (CBAXL), ciliary process-sclera angle (CPSA), longitudinal fibers of ciliary muscle thickness (Lf-CMT), and longitudinal and radial fibers of ciliary muscle thickness (LRf-CMT). Findings indicated a decrease in CBAXL and an increase in Lf-CMT as cataracts progressed in severity. Post-phacoemulsification, there was a notable increase in CBAXL and a decrease in CPSA, Lf-CMT, and LRf-CMT, compared to both cataractous and normal eyes. Regression analysis revealed a significant positive association between CBAXL and IOP, alongside a negative association between Lf-CMT and IOP. These findings suggest that variations in ciliary muscle dynamics and thickness, as influenced by cataract progression and phacoemulsification, have distinct impacts on intraocular pressure. The study proposes that phacoemulsification leads to ciliary muscle contraction, causing an inward and anterior movement of the ciliary muscle. This movement results in the narrowing of the ciliary cleft and constriction of the unconventional outflow pathway, potentially causing an increased risk of glaucoma post-surgery. Our research contributes to understanding the anatomical and physiological changes in the canine eye following cataract surgery and underscores the importance of monitoring IOP and ciliary muscle dynamics in these patients.

Ocular disorders in a tertiary Hospital in South East Nigeria

The object of this study was to determine the pattern of ocular disease patients that presented to the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu, Nigeria. A retrospective study was conducted, where the medical case notes of patients who had ocular examinations, other clinical examinations, and investigations from April 2022 through December 2022 were retrieved. There were a total of 1145 patients, with a male population of 476 (41.6%), while females were 669 (58.4%). The mean age of the study population was 40.8 years, with a Standard Deviation (SD) of 22.4. A total of 924 (80.7%) participants were adults while children (aged 16 years and below) were 221 in number and constituted 19.3% of the study population. The most common eye disease was refractive error, which occurred in 266 (23.2%) of the participants; it was followed by allergic eye diseases, 201 (17.6%), cataract, 170 (14.9%), glaucoma, 111 (9.7%), and trauma to the eye, 94 (8.2%). Among the children, the most common eye disease seen were allergic eye diseases, 78 (35.3%), followed by refractive error, 70 (31.7%), trauma, 21 (9.5%), cataract, 11 (5.0%), while infections of the eye were 10 (4.5%). The most common eye disease among the adult participants was refractive error, 196 (21.1%), and then cataract, 159 (17.2%), allergic eye diseases, 123 (13.3%), glaucoma, 105 (11.4%), and retinal pathologies, 82 (8.9%). The most common causes of eye diseases in this study were refractive error, allergic eye diseases, cataracts, glaucoma, and trauma. Health education at community and primary health care level could help to reduce the number of people with avoidable causes of visual impairment.

Trace Element Concentration in the Blood and Aqueous Humor of Subjects with Eye Cataract.

Cataract, characterized by the opacification of the lens, is the leading cause of reversible blindness and visual impairment globally. The study aims to investigate the role of trace elements such as Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn in the development and severity of cataract. Elements were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in blood and aqueous humor of 32 cataract cases and 27 controls living in the Latium region, Italy. The association between element concentration in blood and aqueous humor and cataract severity, gender, and age of subjects were also assessed. Results showed Cr levels significantly elevated in both blood and aqueous humor of cataract cases, with concentrations that increased with cataract severity. In addition, blood Pb levels were significantly higher in older cases and positively correlated with the age of cataract cases, while blood Co and Cu levels negatively correlated with cataract severity, suggesting changes in the levels of these elements. In conclusion, this study provides evidence of the involvement of specific elements in cataract development and severity, and the findings highlighted important avenues for future research. Understanding the biological mechanism underlying element-induced cataract may contribute to preventing cataractogenesis and providing targeted interventions.

Rationale for the application of modern magnetotherapy technologies for dry eye syndrome, glaucoma and cataract

Abstract. Purpose of the study. The article outlines the basic terms and concepts of information interactions of structures and systems of living organisms, provides a modern approach to the problems of optimizing medical rehabilitation through various methods of magnetic therapy, taking into account the biological effect and characteristics of the impact of various types of magnetic fields, and presents the pathogenetic conditionality of the use of magnetic techniques by means of the Ophthalmag device for the treatment of dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, and cataract.