Quantitative analysis of internal components of the human crystalline lens during accommodation in adults

To quantitatively analyze changes in the inner components of the human crystalline lens during accommodation in adults. Eyes of 23 subjects were sequentially examined using CASIA2 Optical Coherence Tomography under 0D, - 3D and - 6D accommodation states. The anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior and posterior crystalline lens radius of the curvature (ALRC and PLRC) were obtained using built-in software. The lens thickness (LT), lenticular nucleus thickness (NT), anterior cortex thickness (ACT), posterior cortex thickness (PCT), anterior and posterior lenticular nucleus radius of the curvature (ANRC and PNRC), anterior and posterior lenticular nucleus vertex (ANV and PNV) were quantified manually with the Image-pro plus software. During accommodation, the ACD became significantly shallower and LT significantly increased. For changes in the lens, the ALRC decreased by an average magnitude (related to accommodative stimuli) 0.44 mm/D, and PLRC decreased 0.09 mm/D. There was no difference for the ACT and PCT in different accommodation states. For lenticular nucleus response, NT increased on average by 30 mu m/D. Both the ANRC and PNRC decreased on average by 212 mu m/D and 115 mu m/D respectively. The ANV moved forward on average by 0.07 mm under - 3D accommodative stimuli and 0.16 mm for - 6D. However, there was no statistically significant difference between different accommodation states in the PNV movement. Under accommodation stimulation, lens thickness changed mainly due to the lenticular nucleus, but not the cortex. For the lenticular nucleus, both the ANRC and PNRC decreased and ANRC changed the most. The anterior surface of the nucleus moved forward while the posterior surface of the nucleus moved backward but only slightly.

Automated summary

Quantitative analysis using CASIA2 Optical Coherence Tomography revealed changes in the internal components of the human crystalline lens during accommodation in adults. With accommodation, the anterior chamber depth decreased, lens thickness increased, and curvature radius of the lens and lenticular nucleus showed varying degrees of change. The findings suggest that the lenticular nucleus plays a more significant role in lens thickness changes during accommodation than the cortex.