Zeitschrift für klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie
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Effect of Urea on Lens Protein of Multi-lamellar Bodies in Senile Nuclear Cataract

Hassan L. Fahmy, Sally A. Sayed, Mohamed G.A. Saleh, Mohamed Anwar, Ghada Hosny

Addressing the biochemical and physical changes leading to development of cataract and reversal of this process is research target for ophthalmologists. Currently the only way to treat cataract is by surgical intervention which entails a big economic and logistic burden especially in underdeveloped nations and is not risk free. In this ex vivo experiment, we injected urea solution in a concentration of 96 mmol/L in hard cataractous nuclei removed by cataract surgery. Results showed that urea restored transparency of these opaque nuclei. Electron microscopic examination of those lenses before and after injection showed disorganization of lamellar bodies (hallmark sign of cataract) with restoration of the regular pattern of extracellular spaces within the lens and hence better light transmission. This observation may carry the potential for us to be able to develop a way to prevent and perhaps reverse cataract by simply administering urea eye drops.