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Purpose: The pathogenesis of cataract is still subject to debate. However, during the last decade several studies have implicated intra-cellular calcium as an important factor in cataractogenesis. The purpose of this study was to characterize inter-cellular calcium signaling in cataractous lens epithelium, impairment of which might be the basis of cataract formation. Methods: We used confocal laser scanning microscopy to monitor (at 100Hz) local intracellular calcium levels in primary cultures (4-6 days old) of cataractous human lens cells loaded with a calcium-sensitive fluorophore (Fluo4). Forty-one cells were mechanically stimulated and calcium dynamics were monitored in their neighbors. Time series, auto-correlation and cross-correlation analyses were used to characterize the calcium signals. To investigate the physiological basis of these signals, cultures were pretreated with Ryanodine and Thapsigargin …