Cataract
Conditions
Keywords
age-related cataract, oxidative stress, tRNA-derived small RNA
Brief summary
The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the expression characteristics and clinical relevance of the tRF-31/HIPK2 signaling axis in adults over 18 years old with age-related cataract (ARC). The main questions it aims to answer are: Is there a correlation between the relative expression levels of tRF-31 and its target gene HIPK2 in the anterior lens capsule and the clinical severity (Emery-Little grading system) of age-related cataracts? Does oxidative stress in the anterior segment microenvironment have a potential bystander effect on the state of the corneal endothelium? Participants will:Undergo routine preoperative ophthalmologic examinations, including visual acuity tests, slit-lamp photography, and corneal endothelial cell counting. Undergo standard cataract surgery (phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation) as part of their regular medical care. Allow researchers to collect and analyze their anterior lens capsule tissue, which is routinely removed and typically discarded as medical waste during the standard continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) step of the surgery.
Interventions
PROCEDUREBiospecimen collection (Anterior lens capsule)
This is an observational study without investigational interventions. Participants will undergo standard-of-care phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation for age-related cataract. During the routine continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) step of the surgery, the central anterior lens capsule, which is typically discarded as medical waste, will be collected for subsequent molecular analysis. This tissue collection relies entirely on the standard surgical procedure and does not alter the patient's routine clinical treatment pathway in any way.
Sponsors
Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Study design
Observational model
CASE_ONLY
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Inclusion criteria
Patients older than 18 years. Clinically diagnosed with age-related cataract (ARC) and have clear surgical indications for routine phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Scheduled to undergo cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. Completed routine preoperative corneal endothelial specular microscopy, providing objective data including cell density, coefficient of variation of cell area, and the proportion of hexagonal cells. Provided signed written informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
History of ocular trauma, glaucoma, episodes of active uveitis, or previous intraocular surgery. Presence of severe systemic diseases rendering the patient unsuitable for surgery. Poor patient compliance or coexisting psychiatric disorders. Severe systemic metabolic syndromes (e.g., diabetes). Diagnosis of high myopia. Current participation in other clinical trials or likelihood of being lost to follow-up.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Correlation between relative expression of tRF-31 and cataract nuclear hardness (Emery-Little grading system) | Baseline (Preoperative, up to 1 month prior to surgery) |
Countries
China
Contacts
CONTACTYueyang Zhong
Outcome results
None listed