Lens Assays on Diabetic and Galactosemic Rats Receiving Diets That Modify Cataract Development.

Cataract formation is delayed or prevented in diabetes and galactosemia by diets rich in fat and protein. This is accomplished in the presence of high levels of blood sugar and lens sugar alcohols. Diabetic rats on a high-fat diet for 235 days had lenses that were clear to the naked eye, whereas control animals developed cataracts in a median time of 65 days. The lens protein level of treated animals was about 90 per cent of normal. There was no evidence of lens swelling; however, the concentration of lens amino acids ivas low.