Age-stratified normative lens densitometry in children: zone-specific reference curves from 4-18 years
Abstract
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Quantitative evaluation of lens transparency may aid the clinical assessment of normal and abnormal lenticular changes during childhood.
BACKGROUND
Scheimpflug imaging enables objective measurement of crystalline lens light backscatter. While age-related increases in lens densitometry are well documented in adults, normative paediatric data remain limited. Because lens development in childhood differs fundamentally from adult cataractogenesis, age-stratified reference standards are required.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 188 eyes from 188 participants aged 4-18 years. Scheimpflug imaging (Pentacam HR) was used to measure global and zone-specific lens densitometry (nucleus 0-2 mm, anterior cortex, posterior cortex, annulus 2-4 mm, annulus 4-6 mm). Demographic and biometric parameters, including visual acuity, refraction, keratometry, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and pupil diameter, were recorded.
RESULTS
The mean age was 12.5 ± 3.6 years (range 4-18), with 53.2% male. Mean global lens density declined from 7.98 ± 0.41 in children aged 4-9 years, to 7.93 ± 0.21 in those aged 10-13 years, and further to 7.72 ± 0.50 in adolescents aged 14-18 years (p < 0.001). Nuclear density showed the steepest decrease, from 8.53 ± 0.57 to 8.23 ± 0.28 and then 7.89 ± 0.29 across the three age groups (p < 0.001). Anterior cortical density increased slightly (7.25 ± 0.77 → 7.20 ± 0.58 → 7.53 ± 0.73, p = 0.028), while posterior cortical density rose…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 188 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Characterization and Analysis of Porosity and Pore Structures
- Practical considerations for conducting ecotoxicity test methods with manufactured nanomaterials: what have we learnt so far?
- Dental Optical Coherence Tomography
- Radiation-shielding concrete: A review of materials, performance, and the impact of radiation on concrete properties
- Testing entanglement of annihilation photons
- Calanus finmarchicus seasonal cycle and diapause in relation to gene expression, physiology, and endogenous clocks
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.