Reversal of reciprocity failure for UVR-induced cataract with vitamin E.

PURPOSE

The authors have previously described that the photochemical reciprocity law does not apply for ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced cataract. The aim of this study was to elucidate if failure of the reciprocity reverses with vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) administration.

METHODS

Altogether, 80 rats were divided into one group fed alpha-tocopherol and one control group. For each group, half of rats were exposed to UVR for 5 min and the remaining rats for 15 min.

RESULTS

Lenses exposed to UVR for 5 min showed no difference in light scattering between alpha-tocopherol-treated and untreated groups. Lenses exposed to UVR for 15 min showed significant difference in light scattering between alpha-tocopherol-treated and untreated groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Failure in exposure time-intensity reciprocity for UVR-induced cataract with exposures shorter than 30 min may be due to consumption of antioxidants in the lens.