In-vivo Study of Changes in Refractive Index Distribution of the Human Crystalline Lens with Age and Accommodation

Purpose Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was used to map the refractive index distribution of human eye lenses in-vivo and investigate changes with age and accommodation. Methods Whole eye MR images were obtained for sagittal and transverse axial planes in one eye each of 15 young (19 – 29 years) and 15 older (60-70 years) subjects when viewing a far (~6 m) target and at individual near points in the young subjects. Refractive index maps of the crystalline lens were calculated using a procedure previously validated in vitro1. Results A central high refractive index 'plateau ' region and sharp decline in refractive index at the periphery were seen in all three groups. The peripheral decline was steepest in the older lenses and least steep in the young accommodated lenses. Average lens thickness increased (+ 0.27 mm; p < 0.05) and equatorial diameter decreased with accommodation (- 0.35 mm; p < 0.05). Axial thickness (+ 0.96 mm; p < 0.05) and equatorial diameter (+ 0.28mm; p < 0.05) increased with age. The central index (1.409