Small RNA tRF-31 Changes in Patients With Age-Related Cataract

Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University, School of Medicine200 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the expression characteristics and clinical relevance of the tRF-31/HIPK2 signaling axis in adults over 18 years old with age-related cataract (ARC). The main questions it aims to answer are: Is there a correlation between the relative expression levels of tRF-31 and its target gene HIPK2 in the anterior lens capsule and the clinical severity (Emery-Little grading system) of age-related cataracts? Does oxidative stress in the anterior segment microenvironment have a potential bystander effect on the state of the corneal endothelium? Participants will:Undergo routine preoperative ophthalmologic examinations, including visual acuity tests, slit-lamp photography, and corneal endothelial cell counting. Undergo standard cataract surgery (phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation) as part of their regular medical care. Allow researchers to collect and analyze their anterior lens capsule tissue, which is routinely removed and typically discarded as medical waste during the standard continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) step of the surgery.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

200

Conditions

Cataract

Interventions

Biospecimen collection (Anterior lens capsule)

This is an observational study without investigational interventions. Participants will undergo standard-of-care phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation for age-related cataract. During the routine continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) step of the surgery, the central anterior lens capsule, which is typically discarded as medical waste, will be collected for subsequent molecular analysis. This tissue collection relies entirely on the standard surgical procedure and does not alter the patient's routine clinical treatment pathway in any way.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: Patients older than 18 years. Clinically diagnosed with age-related cataract (ARC) and have clear surgical indications for routine phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Scheduled to undergo cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. Completed routine preoperative corneal endothelial specular microscopy, providing objective data including cell density, coefficient of variation of cell area, and the proportion of hexagonal cells. Provided signed written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: History of ocular trauma, glaucoma, episodes of active uveitis, or previous intraocular surgery. Presence of severe systemic diseases rendering the patient unsuitable for surgery. Poor patient compliance or coexisting psychiatric disorders. Severe systemic metabolic syndromes (e.g., diabetes). Diagnosis of high myopia. Current participation in other clinical trials or likelihood of being lost to follow-up.

Small RNA tRF-31 Changes in Patients With Age-Related Cataract

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Central Contacts