Photolytic changes in lens proteins.

Many of the age related and cataractous changes that occur in the human lens may be due to some photolytic process. These include either the direct photolysis of lens protein or photosensitized reactions involving 3-OH Kyn glucoside. The extent to which these photochemical reactions play a role is determined by the level of lens oxygen and the presence of quenchers endogenous to the lens.