Oculon Corporation

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Other

George M Thurston

George B Benedek

Douglas L Hayden

Victor G Taratuta

Joyce A Peetermans

John I Clark

Mark S Bowen

Xiao-Yan Li

An apparatus is disclosed for using quasielastic light scattering to determine the degree of cataractogenesis of a lens in vivo. By collecting and analyzing light scattered from the lens, it is possible, using the temporal autocorrelation function, to produce a signature of cataractogenesis, accounting for scattering due to immobile scatterers. The components of the cataractogenesis can also be detected by comparing the values of the components of the signature of cataractogenesis to frequency distribution of the components taken from populations or by detecting changes in the values of the components of the signature of cataractogenesis as a function of time.

Apparatus for detecting cataractogenesis

A method and apparatus for detecting cataractogenesis is disclosed. Quasielastic light scattering data are collected from the lens of an individual to be tested for cataractogenesis. The data are collected from the lens and are processed by an autocorrelator. The data from the autocorrelator are then fit to an autocorrelation function having a component which has a second derivative less than or equal to zero. This autocorrelation function has been found to change predictably with the individual's age and, accordingly, is useful in detecting and determining the degree of cataractogenesis in the individual.

Method and apparatus for detecting cataractogenesis

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for using quasielastic light scattering to determine the degree of cataractogenesis of a lens in vivo. By collecting and analyzing light scattered from the lens, it is possible, using the temporal autocorrelation function, to produce a signature of cataractogenesis, accounting for scattering due to substantially immobile scatterers. The component of the temporal autocorrelation function representing the effect of the substantially immobile scatterers is expressed as a function of the measurement delay time. The components of the cataractogenesis can also be detected by comparing the values of the components of the signature of cataractogenesis to frequency distribution of the components taken from populations or by detecting changes in the values of the components of the signature of cataractogenesis as a function of time.

A method and apparatus for detecting cataractogenesis is disclosed. Quasielastic light scattering data are collected from the lens of an individual to be tested for cataractogenesis. The data are collected from specific and reproducible sites within the lens by means of measurements made using a reticle in the apparatus and processed by an autocorrelator. The data from the autocorrelator are then fit to a double exponential form of autocorrelation function and the resulting functional form is transformed to produce at least one dimensionless parameter F.sub.mos. This parameter has been found to change predictably with the individual's age and, accordingly, is useful in detecting and determining the degree of cataractogenesis in the individual.

The present invention relates to methods and pharmaceutical reagents for decreasing the phase separation temperature and inhibiting the formation of high molecular weight aggregates in eye lenses, thereby inhibiting or reversing cataract formation.

Chemical prevention or reversal of cataract by phase separation

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for using quasielastic light scattering to determine the degree of cataractogenesis of a lens in vivo. By collecting and analyzing light scattered from the lens, it is possible, using the temporal autocorrelation function, to produce a signature of cataractogenesis, accounting for scattering due to immobile scatterers. The components of the cataractogenesis can also be detected by comparing the values of the components of the signature of cataractogenesis to frequency distribution of the components taken from populations or by detecting changes in the values of the components of the signature of cataractogenesis as a function of time.

An apparatus is disclosed for using quasielastic light scattering to determine the degree of cataractogenesis of a lens in vivo. By collecting and analyzing light scattered from the lens, it is possible, using the autocorrelation function or the power spectrum, to separate the fluctuations into two components: one caused by fast diffusing proteins and one caused by slow diffusing protein aggregates. This data may be applied to an experimentally determined and theoretically deduced universal curve in order to determine quantitatively the degree of cataractogenesis at that particular location in the lens.

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Belmont, MA, United States of America

George M Thurston