title: Optical properties of the lens: an explanation for the zones of discontinuity.
abstract: The structural basis of zones of discontinuity in the living human eye lens has not been elucidated, and there is no conclusive explanation for what relevance they may have to the structure and function of the lens. Newly developed synchrotron radiation based X-ray Talbot interferometry has enabled the detection of subtle fluctuations in the human eye lens which, when used in mathematical modelling to simulate reflected and scattered light, can recreate the image of the lens seen in the living human eye. The results of this study show that the zones of discontinuity may be caused by subtle fluctuations in the refractive index gradient as well as from random scattering in the central regions. As the refractive index contours are created by cell layers with progressively varying protein concentrations, the zones are linked to growth and will contain information about ageing and development. The index gradient is important for image quality and fluctuations in this gradient may add to quality optimisation and serve as models for designs of new generation implant lenses.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston University London, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahrami
authors.affiliation: Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (SPring8), Sayo, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masato
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hoshino
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston University London, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 2EE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: b.pierscionek@kingston.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pierscionek
authors.affiliation: Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (SPring8), Sayo, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoto
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yagi
authors.affiliation: School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Justyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Regini
authors.affiliation: Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (SPring8), Sayo, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kentaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uesugi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D008875:Middle Aged; D012031:Refractometry; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
keywords: eye lens; implant design; light scatter; refractive index; zones of discontinuity