Mass alteration in the lens after exposure to radiation in the 300 nm wavelength region.

The purpose of the present investigation was to elucidate whether radiation in the 300 nm wavelength region (300 nm UVR) induces an alteration of lens mass. Lenses from 12 rabbits were incubated in vitro and the relative wet mass gain was recorded sequentially. The wet mas gain, at 30-40 h postictal interval, was greater in lenses exposed to 3.0-6.0 kJ/m2 300 nm UVR than in non-exposed contralaterals. The coefficients of variation were between 6-10% in determinations of wet mass, dry mass, and mass of lens water in Sprague Dawley rat lenses, the variation among animals being the largest source of inprecision. One eye in each of 80 rats was exposed in vivo to 30 kJ/m2 300 nm UVR, and the rats were sacrificed in groups at consecutive postictal intervals. The in vivo exposure of a lens to 300 nm UVR induced a water accumulation after around 24 h and a reduced increase of dry mass, as compared to in the contralateral non-exposed lens.