Featured Article: Inhibition of diabetic cataract by glucose tolerance factor extracted from yeast.

Diabetes leads to many complications; among them is the development of cataract. Hyperglycemia brings to increased polyol concentration in the lens, to glycation of lens proteins, and to elevated level of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) causing oxidative stress. The glucose tolerance factor (GTF) was found by several groups to decrease hyperglycemia and oxidative stress both in diabetic animals and humans.

Simulation of heat exposure and damage to the eye lens in a neighborhood bakery.

Epidemiological studies indicated a link between high temperature environment and cataract. The purpose of the study was to investigate if the high temperature in neighborhood bakeries can cause damage to the eye lens. Measurements were done to determine the temperature and exposure time in the neighborhood bakeries during a workday.

Non-thermal electromagnetic radiation damage to lens epithelium.

High frequency microwave electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones and other modern devices has the potential to damage eye tissues, but its effect on the lens epithelium is unknown at present. The objective of this study was to investigate the non-thermal effects of high frequency microwave electromagnetic radiation (1.1GHz, 2.

Desferrioxamine and zinc-desferrioxamine reduce lens oxidative damage.

Our purpose was to investigate the quality and morphology of cultured bovine lenses after exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in the presence or absence of desferrioxamine (DFO) or zinc-desferrioxamine (Zn-DFO). Intact bovine lenses were cultured and exposed to HBO of 100% oxygen at 2.5 ATA for 120 min.

[Oxygen effect on ocular lens].

Background: Cataract is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Clinical observations and laboratory results have shown that oxygen has a possible toxic role in cataract formation.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to demonstrate, measure and characterize the damage caused to bovine lenses in organ culture as a result of their exposure to hyperbaric oxygen pressure.

Long-term lens organ culture system to determine age-related effects of UV irradiation on the eye lens.

Aging of the eye lens represents the life-long accumulation of damage. Factors responsible for age-related cataract are unknown because medical evaluations of aged populations demonstrate a wide range of systemic diseases and medical disorders. There are some main suspected factors, which may contribute to accumulated age-related damage in the eye lens.

Effects of UV-A irradiation on lens morphology and optics.

Epidemiological studies have indicated that ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is one of the main factors leading to senile cataract formation. We investigated morphological changes in the eye lens caused by UVR-A. Twenty three pairs of lenses obtained from 23 one-year-old calves were used for this study.

Lenticular oxygen toxicity.

Purpose: To investigate the possible toxic effect of oxygen on lenses in an organ culture.

Methods: Bovine lenses were exposed to four different combinations of ambient pressure and oxygen concentration in an organ culture throughout a 7-day period. Lens transparency, histology, enzymatic activities, and photomicrographs were compared in study and control groups.