Abstract
A modified Zeiss slit lamp coupled with a digital image-processing system was used to evaluate objectively changes in lens transparency over 1 year at 4-month intervals in 150 eyes of 92 patients affected by early senile cataract. A total of 59 patients were treated daily with 1.5 g bendazac-lysine, and 33 patients constituted the control group. At follow-up, visual acuity was also tested using Snellen letter charts at variable contrast to provide an additional parameter closer to traditional methods. Results indicate that the minimal angle of resolution at 10% contrast (MAR10) and the mean gray-level value of the lens image obtained by retroillumination (MLR) are sensitive to early changes in lens transparency. Using MAR10 as a parameter, the control group showed a significant, progressive worsening of the lens status over 12 months, whereas the treated group exhibited no significant changes. MRL indicated the same behaviour as MAR10, although lens damage was detected later in the control group. The results show that bendazac-lysine may delay the formation of lens opacities.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baraldi P, Bocca E, Fonda S, Mazza C, Penne A, Vespignani V (1985) New methods for studying lens opacities. Results of a double-blind pilot study on the effect of bendazac-lysine in senile cataract. Ann Oftalmol Clin Ocul 111:1085–1102
Baraldi P, Fonda S, Vecchi D, Penne A, Biondini S, Bocca E, Mazza C, Luppi L, Vespignani V, Toschi G, Benassi B (1986) Coupling a digital image processing system and a slit lamp enables new biometric and densitometric measurements to be performed. In: Blodi F, Brancato R, Cristini G, D’Ermo F, Esente I, Musini A, Philipson B, Pintucci F, Ponte F, Scuderi G (eds) Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of Ophthalmology. Kugler and Ghedini, Rome, pp 222–230
Baraldi P, Fonda S, Murari C, Biondini S, Vecchi D (1987) An image processing system for ophthalmology: densitometry and 3D reconstruction. Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol 3:1345–1346
Bocca E, Baraldi P, Fonda S, Penne A, Vespignani V, Mazza C, Luppi ML, Biondini S, Benassi B, Toschi PG (1986) Quantitative analysis of anterior segment transparency: new accessories for the slit lamp. J Ophthalmic Photogr 9:101–103
Brown NAP, Bron AJ (1985) Medical therapy in the prevention of cataract. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK 104:748–754
D’Ermo F, Ponte F, Laties AM (eds) (1986) Recent developments in the pharmacological treatment of cataract. Kugler and Ghedini, Rome, pp 33–41, 49–52, 59–68, 124–137
Fonda S, Baraldi P, Vecchi D, Bocca E (1986) Modification of the slit lamp for digital image processing of the anterior segment of the eye. Graefe’s Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 224:284–287
Fonda S, Biondini S, Murari C, Baraldi P, Penne A, Bocca E, Mazza C, Luppi ML, Toschi PG, Benassi B (1986) Digital image processing techniques for anterior segment images: 3D reconstruction and densitometry. In: Blodi F, Brancato R, Cristini G, D’Ermo F, Esente I, Musini A, Philipson B, Pintucci F, Ponte F, Scuderi G (eds) Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of Ophthalmology. Kugler and Ghedini, Rome, pp 2781–2786
Hockwin O (1985) The causes and prevention of cataract blindness. Endeavour 9:132–138
Hockwin O, Eckerskorn U, Schmidtmann W, Dragominescu V, Korte I, Laser H (1984) Epidemiological study of the association between lens cataract and case history, blood composition, and enzymes involved in lens carbohydrate metabolism. Lens Res 2:23–41
Kador PF (1983) Overview of the current attempts toward medical treatment of cataract. Ophthalmology 90:352–364
Sanders RR, De Gregorio M, Pioggia M (1986) Bendazac-lysine (Bendalina) as an anticataract agent. Review of basic clinical data. In: Blodi F, Brancato R, Cristini G, D’Ermo F, Esente I, Musini A, Philipson B, Pintucci F, Ponte F, Scuderi G (eds) Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of Ophthalmology. Kugler and Ghedini, Rome, pp 2488–2494
Silvestrini B, Catanese B, Barillari G, Iorio G, Valeri P (1983) Basic data supporting the use of thel-lysine salt of bendazac in cataract. Int J Tiss React 5:217–255
World Health Organization (1985) Revised draft — guidelines for the clinical investigation of anticataract drugs in senile cataract. WHO Regional Office for Europe, Geneva
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported in part by grants from the MPI (40%)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Baraldi, P., Fonda, S., Toschi, P. et al. Medical treatment of senile cataract: clinical investigation of bendazac-lysine using objective and subjective methods. Graefe’s Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 228, 105–111 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02764301
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02764301