Light scatter in the normal young, elderly, and cataractous eye demonstrates little wavelength dependency.

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether light scatter in normal young, elderly, and cataractous eyes exhibits significant wavelength dependency. Straylight was quantified by calculating light scatter factors (LSF's) based upon the reduction in contrast sensitivity produced by a glare source. The angle of the glare source relative to fixation was varied (3.25 to 26 degrees), as was its wavelength (460 to 660 nm). LSF's increased as a function of age an especially in the presence of media opacities. However, the relation between LSF and glare angle remained approximately the same for each group. Our results suggest that wavelength dependency in normal young, elderly, or cataractous eyes is rather unimportant relative to other factors.