Cataracts are usually diagnosed by examining the lens and comparing to a standard. The LOCS III system is most commonly used and grades the cataract by position (nuclear, cortical or posterior subcapsular), with opacity (cloudiness) graded from 1-5. When these measurements are carried out by experienced ophthalmologists they are relatively reproducible but are still somewhat subjective. A system which takes objective measures from the lens should be much more reproducible, particularly in the early stages of cataract development where the lens remains relatively clear. Edinburgh Biosciences are working on the development of a system which monitor changes in the lens by measuring the light emitted from the protein aggregates when excited with ultra-violet rays.

This same measure can be used during treatment to monitor the effectiveness of the Edinburgh Biosciences light therapy and to judge when treatment has been successful. Our treatment system delivers LED light of a specific wavelength directly to the cataract. In vitro and preclinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of clearing cataracts in extracted lenses and in model systems. Early stage clinical trials currently underway have shown that visual acuity has been improved in moderate cataracts with patients reporting significant improvements in their quality of life.