Presumed interference colours at the level of the human anterior lens capsule.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence and related factors of the presumed interference colour phenomenon at the anterior lens capsule.


METHODS
In 274 eyes of 137 normal subjects, ranging in age from 4 to 83 years old (50.1 +/- 24.9 years, mean +/- standard deviation), the anterior lens capsule was observed with slit-lamp microscopy under specular conditions to assess the presence and degree of presumed interference colours.


RESULTS
The colouring phenomenon, which was thought to be relevant to the interference phenomenon induced at the level of the anterior lens capsule, was found in 67.5% of eyes. Typically, there was a colour spectrum with a greenish tint in the central area and a reddish tint at the periphery, which coincided with the area of capsular shagreen. Multiple regression analysis revealed a signigificant positive correlation between the degree of the interference colour phenomenon and the age of the subjects (r = 0.45, p < 0.0001, R2 = 0.713).


CONCLUSIONS
Presumed interference colours are frequently seen at the human anterior lens capsule. Interference colours and capsular shagreen seem to reflect age-related changes in the lens.
Nakashima
Y
Y
Nakashima Eye Clinic, Fukuoka, Japan.
Yoshitomi
F
F
Amano
S
S
Oshika
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003116:Color; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D012044:Regression Analysis