Nuclear sclerosis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nuclear sclerosis is an age-related change in the density of the crystalline lens nucleus that occurs in all older animals.<ref>"Cataract Surgery – FAQs: What is nuclear sclerosis?" Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ophthalmology Department. Accessed November 18, 2006.</ref> It is caused by compression of older lens fibers in the nucleus by new fiber formation. The more dense construction of the nucleus causes it to scatter light. Although nuclear sclerosis may describe a type of early cataract in human medicine<ref name="Cassin">Cassin, B. and Solomon, S. Dictionary of Eye Terminology. Gainsville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company, 1990.</ref>, in veterinary medicine the term is also known as lenticular sclerosis and describes a bluish-grey haziness at the nucleus that may not affect vision.

[edit] Veterinary medicine

In veterinary practice, nuclear sclerosis is a consistent finding in dogs greater than seven years old.<ref name=Gelatt_1999>Gelatt, Kirk N. (ed.) (1999). Veterinary Ophthalmology, 3rd ed., Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-683-30076-8.</ref> Nuclear sclerosis appears as a bilateral bluish-grey haziness at the nucleus, or center of the lens. It is often confused with cataracts. The condition is differentiated from a cataract by its appearance and by shining a penlight into the eye. With nuclear sclerosis, a reflection from the tapetum will be seen, while a cataract will block reflection.