Abstract

As the crystalline lens ages it undergoes a number of changes having optical consequences. These might include substantially increased amounts of absorbed and scattered light as well as increased surface curvatures. Apparently the refractice index also changes with age but why or how it happens is currently under debate. The 'lens paradox', a name given to the observation that surface curvatures of the average lens increase with age while its refractive power doesn't change, is resolved by postulating an appropriate change in refractive index. For example, a small increase with age of the index in the lens cortex accomplishes the desired end¹. Another interesting observation is the apparent increased refractive power of lenses subsequent to nuclear sclerosis and nuclear cataract². Increased refractive index in the lens nucleus is a possible explanation.

© 1996 Optical Society of America