Cadmium, lead and copper concentrations in normal and senile cataractous human lenses.

Cadmium, lead and copper concentrations were measured in normal and cataractous human lenses by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of all three elements were relatively higher in cataractous lenses compared with normals, and the ratios of cataract/normal concentrations were in the order Pb greater than Cd greater than Cu. The concentration of these trace elements also varied according to lense age. It is likely that the major source of cadmium is tobacco smoke while that of lead is the exhaust gases of motor cars.