Some fluorescence properties of cataractous eye lenses.

The loss of transparency of the ocular lens is caused by the increase of light scattering as a result of structural changes and by the increased absorption of the visible light due to the accumulation of pigments. Following light absorption, these pigments undergo non-radiative and radiative (luminescence) processes which can be monitored spectroscopically. The paper presents some new results concerning the excitation spectra, decay times and polarization of the lenticular fluorescence. Fluorophore heterogeneity manifests itself in all the experimental data. A striking behaviour of the emission anisotropy as a function of temperature is found, particularly for cortical cataract lenses, indicating temperature-induced structural changes at about 20 degrees C.