Apparatus And Methods For Quantitatively Measuring Molecular Changes In The Ocular Lens

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for noninvasively diagnosing diabetes mellitus, the prediabetic condition, and cataracts in the human (or other) body are disclosed. Diagnoses are made by illuminating ocular lens tissue with a narrow-band light source at a selected wavelength, detecting the backscattered radiation intensity at the peak of the fluorescent response, and normalizing the detected value with the intensity of its Rayleigh component. Measurements provided in this manner can be used as improved indicators of the presence or absence of certain diseases or conditions.