Disorders of the Lens - Causes, Conditions, and Treatment

Introduction

The disease of the eye is one of the most commonly witnessed conditions seen predominantly in almost all the population. With a daily increase in science and technology and an emerging habit of using gadgets, there is day-to-day damage occurring. The eye, as an organ, is considered the output of the brain, which collects and transfers information from outside to the brain. Anatomically the eye consists of five major parts, the retina, the cornea, the pupil, the iris, and the lens, where the lens is known as a clear disk-shaped structure that is present behind the iris lying in front of the virtual eyes. The lens as an organ consists of an anterior and a posterior capsule that is formed by the epithelial layer called the basal lamina, and as age progresses, there is a strain that impacts the lens and, along with the light exposures, affects the efficacy of the lens compromising it.

What Is a Lens?

The lens of the human eye is considered like the lens of the camera through which one can see or perceive things. The lens is a part of the eyes that appears clear and is located behind the iris. The zonules attach the lens to the ciliary body of the eye, stretching it and giving a spherical appearance to it. But as aging occurs, there is an evident stiffness seen in the lens, which deteriorates the ability of the eye to focus.

What Are the Disorders Seen Affecting the Lens?

Several disorders are seen affecting the nature and quality, and structure of the lenses, and thesis can occur due to multiple causes like congenital defects, trauma, associated clinical conditions, etc. However, the anomaly of the lens can be broadly divided into two categories depending on the defect, where one is the changes in the shape, size, or structure of the lens, and the other is changes in the placement or position of the lens.

What Are the Anomalies in the Size and Shape of the Lens?

The differentiation in the size and shape of the lens occurs commonly as a congenital condition and is often associated with disease affecting the development of the eye. And some of these conditions are:

1. Lenticonus - This condition is characterized by cone-shaped deformity seen in the anterior and posterior aspects of the lens. Lenticonus is commonly seen as a posterior defect in comparison with the anterior ones and is often associated with genetic conditions like Alport syndrome ( it is a genetically inherited inflammatory condition of the kidney).

2. Lentiglobus - This condition shows rare occurrences, but when seen, shows unilateral hemispherical deformity of the lens. Lentiglobus is often seen associated with the opacity of the posterior polar lens.

3. Lens Coloboma - Here, the lens appears as a wedge-like indentation or defect, which is seen as a lone standing defect in the inferior aspect of the lens.

4. Congenital Aphakia - This is a rare clinical condition characterized by the complete absence of a lens since birth.

5. Microspherophakia - It is a clinical condition of the lens characterized by an underdeveloped lens in both shape and diameter. This disorder of the lens is associated with hereditary conditions like Alport's syndrome, Marfan&rsquo's syndrome (this condition is seen due to changes in the protein pathway affecting the connective tissue), peters anomaly (a genetic condition characterized by opaque cornea in the center and a clear cornea in the periphery), congenital rubella (viral infection seen in infants) and lowes syndrome (it is an X-linked condition affecting the kidney, nervous system and the eye.

6. The Remnants of Fetal Vessels in the Lens - A halo-like remnant of the vascular system is seen retained in the lens, which appears like a pinpoint scar.

7. Cataract - This is a clinical condition characterized by opaque lenses and is considered the most predominant reason for blindness. Cataracts can be of different types depending on the cause, structure, and maturation of the lens. Some of the factors that cause cataract formation are said to be maternal factors, infections in utero or at birth, malnutrition, ingestion of drugs during pregnancy, aging, radiation, trauma, and sometimes it can be idiopathy.

8. Secondary Cataract - This is a condition occurring after performing cataract surgeries characterized by misty or hazy appearing vision, but here the existing lens is retained while performing the treatment.

What Are the Anomalies in the Position of the Lens?

1. Aphakia: Aphakia, as a clinical condition, is characterized by the dislocation of the lens from its original position. Aphakia can occur due to the following reasons post-operative errors, trauma, couching, developmental anomaly, etc. The symptoms of this are dimmed vision, complete loss of accommodation of the vision, jet black colored pupil, etc.

2. Ectopia Lentis: Ectopia lentil is a clinical condition characterized by a complete or partial displacement of the lens for the pupillary area. This can occur due to the main reasons, which are acquired and hereditary causes. The clinical features of this condition are loss of vision, refractory changes in the eye, and double vision in one eye.

What Are the Complications That Are Associated with Diseases of the Lens?

The complications associated with disease of the lens are:

• Loss of eyesight.

• Failure to orient or perceive things or organs.

• Thickening of the lens causes strained eyesight.

• Diplopia or double vision.

• Change in color of the lens.

• Calcification of the lens.

Conclusion

Though the injuries affecting the lens are many, the solution to solving this has also become an eminent process. The correction of the lens can be done through corrective surgeries or by changing into alternative lenses that help in perceiving and interpreting the vision. As sight is the route to the brain, it can be easily established or restored by today's development in science and technology. However, it is most important for the person to take care of his or her eyesight by providing adequate rest, prevention from light or gadget exposure, and along with high nutritional intake or through supplements like retinol. Nourishing the body through internal consumption, with foods aiding in healing, prevents a long-term defect of the lens from occurring in the first place.