Simple Mathematical Description of Age-Related Changes in Human Crystalline Lens Geometry in the Indian Population

Abstract

The human eye undergoes significant physiological changes with age, particularly in the crystalline lens, which is responsible for focusing light onto the retina. These changes impact visual acuity and are critical to understanding the aging process and associated ocular diseases. Traditional imaging modalities such as Ultrasound Biomicroscopy (UBM) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) have limitations in terms of resolution and penetration depth. UBM suffers from low resolution (~500 µm), while OCT struggles with penetration through opaque tissues like the iris. This study introduces a simplified mathematical approach to describe age-related changes in the crystalline lens geometry, aiming to overcome these limitations. The method involves using key variables—Lens Diameter (LD), Lens Thickness (LT), Lens Volume (V), Radius of Curvature of the Anterior Portion (RAL), and Posterior Portion (RPL)—to construct a comprehensive profile of the lens. Data from the Indian population, characterized by Mohamed et al., is utilized to demonstrate this approach. Results show that LD, LT, and V increase with age, while RAL and RPL also show age-related increments. These findings provide insights into the lens's age-related changes, with potential applications in enhancing optical models and improving clinical practices. Further research is necessary to refine this model and validate the findings with larger datasets, paving the way for more accurate descriptions of the crystalline lens geometry and its changes over time.