Nuclear cataract--a microradiographic study.

Nuclear cataract is a common type of senile cataract characterized by an increased turbidity and often a yellow to brown pigmentation of the nucleus. Twenty-one human lenses with different degrees of nuclear turbidity were, after intracapsular cataract extraction, examined by a quantitative microradiographic technique. The dry mass concentration was determined along the lens axis, and revealed an overall distribution similar to the normal lens. The concentration increased from the poles towards the center of the lens, to reach a mean level of 0.47 g.cm-3 (range 0.38-0.55). Though the appearance of the nucleus as well as the dry mass were relatively uniform. In addition, different types of formations with reduced or increased dry mass were found in the nucleus. The location of these formations are described and their nature discussed.