Ultrasound Elastography For Evaluating Stiffness Of The Human Lens Nucleus With Aging: A Feasibility Study

AIM: To investigate the significance of ultrasound elastography for evaluating stiffness of the human lens nucleus in volunteers with different ages.METHODS: A total of 90 volunteers (lens transparency, uncorrected visual acuity >= 0.5, intraocular pressure: 14-19 mm Hg) were divided into 3 groups according to age: Group A (30 people, median age: 82 +/- 3.5y, mean axial lengths 23.7 +/- 05 mm); Group 13 (30 people, median age: 46 +/- 2.1y, mean axial lengths 23.9 +/- 0.4 mm); and Group C (30 people, median age: 22 +/- 3.5y, mean axial lengths 24.0 +/- 0.4 mm). Lens nuclear stiffness was measured by Free-hand qualitative elastography by independent operators. Strain gray scale and color-coded elastography maps were recorded. In each case, three consecutive detections were performed and strain ratio was used for statistical analysis.RESULTS: Elastography analysis showed excellent diagnostic performance for lens sclerosis. Lens strain ratio was lowest (0.03 +/- 0.01)% in Group A and highest (2.03 +/- 0.43)% in Group C. Lens strain ratio was moderate (0.64 +/- 0.10)% in Group B. There were significant differences between these three groups (P<0.05). The lens nucleus strain rate changes with age. With aging, the lens nucleus strain rate and resilience decrease, demonstrating harder texture.CONCLUSION: The relationship between human lens stiffness and age is demonstrated by ultrasound elastography. Older age is associated with lower strain ratio and less resilience of the lens.