Publications [#254655] of Myron L. Wolbarsht

Journal Articles

1. Wolbarsht, ML (1980). DAMAGE TO THE LENS FROM INFRARED.. Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers, 229, 121-142. [doi]
   (last updated on 2018/09/26)

   Abstract:
   Cataracts resulting from IR exposure are compared with those linked to UV exposure. The IR exposure produces changes in the lens proteins, the crystallins, while UV exposure seems to attack specific amino acids. Gel electrophoresis of lens proteins have been used to detect the earliest changes possible in cataract formation following exposure to IR from broadband and laser source irradiation. Cataracts can be easily formed in rabbit lenses in vivo when the laser radiation is restricted to the lens alone at power levels above 1 w for 1 min. Lower levels do not produce immediate cataracts but changes in lens proteins can be detected by thin layer isoelectric electrophoresis of plain polyacrylamide gels and with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or 6 m urea. The plain gels (pH 3. 5 to 10) showed a decrease in the alpha crystallines indicating a possible change of soluble alpha crystallin to an insoluble high molecular (HM) weight form. However, small amounts of beta and gamma crystallins may also be involved in the formation of a HM insoluble aggregate. Soluble HM weight crystallins often were detected as the alpha crystallin disappeared. This HM soluble fraction may be an intermediate step in the process in forming insoluble alpha crystallin.