Micro–PIXE Investigation of Trace Elements Ca, Fe, and Zn in Cataractous Human Lenses

Trace elements concentrations of Ca, Fe, and Zn in cataractous human lenses have been determined using the proton induced X-ray emission technique (PIXE). The technique was selected due to its sensitivity and only modest requirements for sample material processing and preparation. In the study a statistically significant sample of post–surgery (phacoemulsification method) human lenses with cataract was analyzed, targeting two diseases, often accompanying the cataract: diabetes and glaucoma. Patients were split into three, not overlapping groups: control, diabetic and glaucoma. Elevated levels of Zinc (strong effect) and Iron (weak effect) were measured for fraction of diabetic patients treated with insulin or pills. Samples from fraction of patients with glaucoma showed very elevated Zinc levels, often reaching concentration values of several hundreds of ppm, about one order of magnitude higher than in remaining cases. Due to overwhelming popularity of the phacoemulsification procedure and the ease of sample preparation for PIXE, current study suggests new perspective in medical diagnostic.