Nuclear sclerosis is an age-related change in the density of the crystalline lens nucleus that occurs in all older animals.[1] It is caused by compression of older lens fibers in the nucleus by new fiber formation. The denser construction of the nucleus causes it to scatter light. Although nuclear sclerosis may describe a type of early cataract in human medicine,[2] in veterinary medicine the term is also known as lenticular sclerosis and describes a bluish-grey haziness at the nucleus that usually does not affect vision, except for unusually dense cases. Immature senile cataract has to be differentiated with nuclear sclerosis while making its diagnosis.[3]
- ^ "Cataract Surgery – FAQs: What is nuclear sclerosis?". Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ophthalmology Department. Archived from the original on 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2006-11-18.
- ^ Cassin, B. and Solomon, S. Dictionary of Eye Terminology. Gainesville, Florida: Triad Publishing Company, 1990.
- ^ Sapienza, John S. (2002). "Cataracts". Proceedings of the 27th World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Retrieved 2007-03-13.