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Abstract
Ocular calcification is a biological mineralization. It is also a well-known human ophthalmic disease but is a complex process because the pathophysiology of calcium deposition in ocular tissues depends on site-specific factors. Calcified deposits in the eyes are asymptomatic lesions; a serious consequence of ocular plaques is the potential partial or total loss of vision in the affected eye. Therefore, a better understanding of the exact compositional components and origin of calcified plaques in different eye tissues is necessary and merits exploration. The present review article includes information on different diagnostic or analytical techniques to examine human ocular calcification collected and compiled from 2005 to 2013, together with data on the application of vibrational spectroscopy in ophthalmology studies from 1990 onwards. This overview of ocular calcification is mainly focused on two aspects: the pathogenesis and mechanism of calcification in different ocular tissues and biomedical applications of vibrational spectroscopy to spectral biodiagnosis of eye tissues. A summary of the in vitro, in situ, and in vivo spectral information that is expected to assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of patients or satisfy patients of the clinical competence of the diagnosis is provided.
Acknowledgments
The author thanks Drs. S.M. Lee, K.H. Chen, D.M. Yang, S.L. Wang, and C.C. Lin for providing the human specimens after participants signed the informed consent form. I also acknowledge R.C. Liang, C.L. Cheng, T.F. Hsieh, W.T. Cheng, M.J. Li, and C.T. Ho for technical assistance with much sample preparation and data collection. The spectral studies were financially supported by the National Science Council, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.