Cataract Progression
Cataract Progression - Related Videos
13:56
Characterization of Molecular Mechanisms of In vivo UVR Induced Cataract
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Cited by 4 •
2012
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the world. Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the main risk factor for cataract development. An animal model of far UVR-B induced cataract was developed. In this article we describe methods for investigation of cataract formation: exposure to UVR, quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.
07:53
Establishment of a Clinically Relevant Ex Vivo Mock Cataract Surgery Model for Investigating Epithelial Wound Repair in a Native Microenvironment
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Cited by 13 •
2015
Described here is the establishment of a clinically relevant ex vivo mock cataract surgery model that can be used to investigate mechanisms of the injury response of epithelial tissues within their native microenvironment.
05:19
Modeling Cataract Surgery in Mice
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Cited by 3 •
2023
This method models cataract surgery in vivo by removing lens fiber cells from adult mice and leaving behind the capsular bag with attached lens epithelial cells (LECs). The injury response is then assessed at various times post-surgery using molecular and morphological criteria.
02:07
Tumor Progression
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2023
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages. Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
02:07
Tumor Progression
0 Views •
2021
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages. Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
FAQs
Lens proteins can undergo structural changes, aggregation, and oxidative damage. These alterations disturb the normally ordered arrangement of lens fibers, allowing more light to scatter within the lens. The resulting optical disruption explains why advancing disease can affect clarity, contrast, and tolerance of glare, rather than simply producing a uniform reduction in visual sharpness.
Aging, diabetes, ultraviolet exposure, trauma, and certain medications are associated with faster cataract progression. These factors represent different clinical considerations: some reflect long-term biological change, while others indicate environmental exposure, systemic disease, injury, or treatment history. Reviewing them helps clinicians recognize patients who may require closer observation or earlier assessment.
Oxidative damage is important because it can alter lens proteins and contribute to their aggregation. Once the proteins no longer maintain the lens fibers’ ordered arrangement, light scattering increases. This mechanism connects microscopic chemical and structural changes with clinically meaningful effects such as blurred vision, glare, and reduced contrast.
Monitoring combines visual acuity testing, slit-lamp examination, and assessment of symptoms. Visual acuity measures how clearly a person can see, while slit-lamp examination allows clinicians to examine the lens directly. Symptom assessment adds information about glare, contrast, and daily activities. Together, these findings show whether changes are affecting function and guide decisions about treatment.
Treatment is considered when examination findings and symptoms indicate that the lens changes are sufficiently affecting vision or daily activities. Clinicians use serial visual acuity results, slit-lamp findings, and the patient’s reported difficulties to judge this point. This approach supports timely referral rather than relying on a single measurement or the appearance of the lens alone.
In medical practice, evaluating cataract progression connects ocular findings with broader risk factors such as diabetes, ultraviolet exposure, trauma, aging, and medication use. Recognizing these contributors supports risk reduction and timely referral. When treatment becomes necessary, the established approach is surgical replacement of the cloudy lens, guided by the patient’s visual impairment and clinical assessment.