Spectral transmission and short-wave absorbing pigments in the fish lens--II. Effects of age.

Examination of the spectral transmission and pigments present in lenses of sixteen species of fish revealed that changes in lens pigment type and/or concentration often occur with age. Age-related changes in lens transmission for all species could be fitted to a common framework composed of three stages: an initial rapid accumulation of lens pigments producing a large increase in the wavelength of 50% transmission, followed by a reduction in the rate of pigment deposition which results in a levelling of the 50% transmission and a final stage after pigment accumulation ceases producing a drop in the wavelength of 50% transmission.