O OftalmopediaAn open ophthalmology reference

Nuclear sclerosis

AI overview

Nuclear sclerosis is an age-related change in the density of the crystalline lens nucleus that occurs in all older animals.

Key points
  • It is caused by compression of older lens fibers in the nucleus by new fiber formation.
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    It is caused by compression of older lens fibers in the nucleus by new fiber formation.
  • The denser construction of the nucleus causes it to scatter light.
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    The denser construction of the nucleus causes it to scatter light.
  • In human medicine, nuclear sclerosis may describe a type of early cataract.
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    nuclear sclerosis may describe a type of early cataract in human medicine
  • In veterinary medicine, the term is also known as lenticular sclerosis.
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    in veterinary medicine the term is also known as lenticular sclerosis
  • In veterinary practice, it is a consistent finding in dogs greater than six years old.
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    nuclear sclerosis is a consistent finding in dogs greater than six years old
Symptoms
  • Appears as a bilateral bluish-grey haziness at the nucleus or center of the lens.
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    Nuclear sclerosis appears as a bilateral bluish-grey haziness at the nucleus, or center of the lens
  • Usually does not affect vision, except for unusually dense cases.
    source quote
    usually does not affect vision, except for unusually dense cases
Diagnosis
  • Immature senile cataract has to be differentiated with nuclear sclerosis during diagnosis.
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    Immature senile cataract has to be differentiated with nuclear sclerosis while making its diagnosis.
  • Differentiated from other types of cataract by clinical appearance using retroillumination with a penlight.
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    The condition is differentiated from other types of cataract by its clinical appearance, by shining a penlight into the eye (retroillumination).
  • With nuclear sclerosis, a reflection from the tapetum will be seen, while a localized cataract may block reflection and appear as a shadow.
    source quote
    With nuclear sclerosis, a reflection from the tapetum will be seen, while a localized cataract may block reflection and appear as a shadow in the lens.
Treatment
  • There is no treatment for this condition currently.
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    There is no treatment for this condition currently.
Prognosis

Usually does not affect vision, except for unusually dense cases.

AI-synthesized from the Wikipedia article “Nuclear sclerosis”. Not medical advice. Verify source →
Nuclear sclerosis

Nuclear sclerosis is an age-related change in the density of the crystalline lens nucleus that occurs in all older animals.[1] It is caused by compression of older lens fibers in the nucleus by new fiber formation. The denser construction of the nucleus causes it to scatter light. Although nuclear sclerosis may describe a type of early cataract in human medicine,[2] in veterinary medicine the term is also known as lenticular sclerosis and describes a bluish-grey haziness at the nucleus that usually does not affect vision, except for unusually dense cases. Immature senile cataract has to be differentiated with nuclear sclerosis while making its diagnosis.[3]

In veterinary practice, nuclear sclerosis is a consistent finding in dogs greater than six years old.[4] Nuclear sclerosis appears as a bilateral bluish-grey haziness at the nucleus, or center of the lens, caused by an increase in the refractive index of that part of the lens due to its increased density. It is often confused with other types of cataract. The condition is differentiated from other types of cataract by its clinical appearance, by shining a penlight into the eye (retroillumination). With nuclear sclerosis, a reflection from the tapetum will be seen, while a localized cataract may block reflection and appear as a shadow in the lens.[5] There is no treatment for this condition currently.

  1. "Cataract Surgery – FAQs: What is nuclear sclerosis?". Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ophthalmology Department. Archived from the original on 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2006-11-18.
  2. Cassin, B. and Solomon, S. Dictionary of Eye Terminology. Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company, 1990.
  3. Sapienza, John S. (2002). "Cataracts". Proceedings of the 27th World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Retrieved 2007-03-13.
  4. Gelatt, Kirk N. (1999). Veterinary ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0-683-30076-5.
  5. Petersen-Jones, Simon M. (2003). "Conditions of the Lens". Proceedings of the 28th World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Retrieved 2007-03-13.