Crystalline lens metabolism: features and ways of correction

 Koroleva I.A. ¹, Egorov A.E. <sup>2

1</sup>  Municipal Clinical Hospital 15 named after O.M. Filatov, Moscow 
²  Russian National Research Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov, Moscow

    Crystalline lens is an avascular structure with a unique cellular physiology and tissue architecture, leading to light scattering elimination and improvement of the lens optical properties. Physiological role of the lens is to focus images on retina. Therefore it is very important to maintain lens transparency for a long time. The paper reviews lens structure, main aspects of lens metabolism, properties and spatial distribution of Na+/K+-pumps, ion channels, aquaporines. The important role of intense ion flow in creation of the internal circulatory system for the avascular lens is also discussed. Mechanisms, responsible for cataract formation, are described. Particular attention is given to Catalin, which is characterized by its anticataract effect and good tolerance by patients.

  Key words: crystalline lens, metabolism, crystallines, Na+/K+-pump, ion flow, cataract,  Catalin.

 For citation: Koroleva I.A., Egorov A.E. Crystalline lens metabolism: features and ways of correction. // RMJ. Clinical ophthalomology. 2015. № 4. P. –195.