Towards in vivo cellular visualization of crystalline lens with full-field optical coherence tomography

The study introduces a customized full-field optical coherence tomography (FFOCT) system for non-invasive, micron-scale cellular imaging of the crystalline lens in mice and humans. By integrating spatially incoherent LED illumination (λ=840nm, Δλ=30nm) and adaptive optics, the system mitigates ocular aberrations and enables deep-penetration imaging through the anterior chamber. A multi-plane en face fusion strategy expands the field-of-view for curved lens epithelial layers. In murine models, FFOCT resolved the anterior capsule, mosaic lens epithelial cells (LECs), and underlying fiber cells, revealing dynamic changes: LEC density decreased biphasically (25–6k cells/mm² from P0–30, stabilizing at ~6.5k/mm² by P60) alongside cell hypertrophy and compaction. Human imaging unveiled LEC distributions, cortical fiber arrays, and Y-suture architectures with unprecedented detail. This technology provides a powerful tool for longitudinal studies of lens aging and cataractogenesis, offering insights into cellular mechanisms and potential for early disease detection.