Physiological effects of UVB irradiation on cultured rabbit lens.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological effects of irradiation in the spectral range 295-340 nm in cultured rabbit lenses. Ultraviolet B cataract was produced in lenses exposed to low levels of irradiation, 1-2 mW/cm2. Opacification was assessed by laser transmittance measurements. The changes observed during lens culture after a 1 hr dose (4 J/cm2) include a gradual increase in hydration, sodium concentration, and calcium levels. Loss in membrane voltage and a rise in 36Cl accumulation indicate that membrane permeability was increased. The cation pump was impaired within 20 hr of irradiation, as concluded by an observed fall in 22Na efflux. Availability of glucose for cation transport was diminished based on the reduced rate of uptake of tritiated 3-o-methylglucose in irradiated lenses, but this reduced accumulation was observed much later than was sodium elevation. Ionic imbalances and opacification required less than 1 d of culture for 4-12-wk-old lenses and required nearly 7 d of culture for 100-wk-old lenses.