Ragged Eye

Eyes are highly complex and intricate structures but problems can arise with age. In this image from an investigation of elderly Egyptian patients the lens in the centre has both cataract, making it cloudy, and ragged dandruff-like deposits known as pseudoexfoliation around the edge of the protective envelope. Pseudoexfoliation does not affect the function of the eye directly but this study, along with others, showed its presence is associated with a higher risk of common age-related blindness such as cataract and glaucoma. The image was taken using a specialised optical lens, known as a goniolens or gonioscope, which allows an ophthalmologist to see internal structures of the eye.

Written by Julie Webb

Julie Webb

Writer

Julie began her career as a researcher in genetics. In 2000 she won a Wellcome Trust award for her work on a collaborative science drama, staged at the Edinburgh Festival. She now works as a freelance science writer and communicator.

• Tarek Shazly
• Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
• Originally published under Creative Commons (CC-BY 2.0)
• Published in BMC Ophthalmology