0
January 1992, Vol 110, No. 1 >
ARTICLE | January 1992

The Long-term Effects of Visible Light on the Eye FREE

Hugh R. Taylor, MD; Sheila West, PhD; Beatriz Muñoz, MS; Frank S. Rosenthal, PhD; Susan B. Bressler, MD; Neil M. Bressler, MD
[+] Author Affiliations

Accepted for publication July 24, 1991.

Presented in part at the 126th Meeting of the American Ophthalmological Society, Hot Springs, Va, May 21, 1990.

Reprint requests to Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 32 Gisborne St, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002, Australia (Dr Taylor).


Arch Ophthalmol. 1992;110(1):99-104. doi:10.1001/archopht.1992.01080130101035
Text Size: A A A
Published online
Article
References
Comments

• The relationship between exposure to sunlight and senile cataract, age-related macular degeneration, pterygium, and climatic droplet keratopathy was examined in 838 watermen who work on the Chesapeake Bay. The presence and severity of lenticular, corneal, and macular changes were assessed by either clinical examination or from stereo macular photographs. From detailed exposure histories, ocular exposure was estimated for three bands of visible radiation—violet (400 to 450 nm), blue (400 to 500 nm), or all visible (400 to 700 nm)—as well as for UV-A (320 to 340 nm) and UV-B (290 to 320 nm). The results with each band of visible radiation were similar. Neither cortical nor nuclear cataract was associated with ocular exposure to blue or all visible radiation, but pterygium and climatic droplet keratopathy were more common with higher exposures. Compared with age-matched controls, patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration (geographic atrophy or disciform scarring) had significantly higher exposure to blue or visible light over the preceding 20 years (odds ratio, 1.36 [1.00 to 1.85]) but were not different in respect to exposure to UV-A or UV-B. These data suggest that high levels of exposure to blue or visible light may cause ocular damage, especially later in life, and may be related to the development of age-related macular degeneration.

REFERENCES

1 +
Van Heyningen R.  The human lens, I: a comparison of cataracts extracted in Oxford (England) and Shikapur (W.Pakistan) . Exp Eye Res . 1972;;13:136-147.
2 +
Hiller R, Giacometti L, Yuen K.  Sunlight and cataract: an epidemiologic investigation . Am J Epidemiol . 1977;;105:450-459.
3 +
Zigman S, Datiles M, Torczynski E.  Sunlight and human cataracts . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1979;;18:462-467.
4 +
Taylor HR.  The environment and the lens . Br J Ophthalmol . 1980;;64:303-310.
5 +
Hollows F, Moran D.  Cataract—the ultraviolet risk factor . Lancet . 1981;;2:1249-1250.
6 +
Hiller R, Sperduto RD, Ederer F.  Epidemiologic associations with nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts . Am J Epidemiol . 1986;;124:916-925.
7 +
Taylor HR, West SK, Rosenthal FS, et al.  Effect of ultraviolet radiation on cataract formation . N Engl J Med . 1988;;319:1429-1433.
8 +
Anderson JR.  A pterygium map . Acta Ophthalmol . 1954;;3:1631-1642.
9 +
Cameron ME.  Histology of pterygium: an electron microscopic study . Br J Ophthalmol . 1983;;67:604-608.
10 +
Taylor HR.  Aetiology of climatic droplet keratopathy and pterygium . Br J Ophthalmol . 1980;;64:154-163.
11 +
Moran DJ, Hollows FC.  Pterygium and ultraviolet radiation: a positive correlation . Br J Ophthalmol . 1984;;68:343-346.
12 +
Klintworth GK.  The cornea: structure and macromolecules in health and disease . Am J Pathol . 1977;;89:717-808.
13 +
Johnson GJ, Ghosh M.  Labrador keratopathy: clinical and pathological findings . Can J Ophthalmol . 1975;;10:119-135.
14 +
Johnson GJ, Overall M.  Histology of spheroidal degeneration of the cornea in Labrador . Br J Ophthalmol . 1978;;62:53-61.
15 +
Taylor HR, West SK, Rosenthal FS, Muñoz B, Newland HS, Emmett EA.  Corneal changes associated with chronic ultraviolet radiation . Arch Ophthalmol . 1989;;107:1481-1484.
16 +
Tso MOM.  Photic maculopathy in rhesus monkeys: a light and electron microscopic study . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1973;;12:14-34.
17 +
Ham WT Jr, Mueller HA, Ruffolo JJ, Guerry D III, Guerry RK.  Action spectrum for retinal injury from near-ultraviolet radiation in aphakic monkey . Am J Ophthalmol . 1982;;933:299-306.
18 +
Tso MOM.  Experiments on visual cells by nature and man: in search of treatment for photoreceptor degeneration . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1989;;30:2430-2454.
19 +
Ewald RA, Ritchey CL.  Sun gazing as the cause of foveo-macular retinitis . Am J Ophthalmol . 1970;;70:491-497.
20 +
Noell WK.  Possible mechanisms of photoreceptor damage by light in mammalian eyes . Vision Res . 1980;;20:1163-1171.
21 +
Lawwill T.  Three major pathologic processes caused by light in the primate retina: a search for mechanisms . Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc . 1982;;80:517-579.
22 +
Ham WT Jr, Mueller HA, Sliney DH.  Retinal sensitivity to damage from short wavelength light . Nature . 1976;;260:153-155.
23 +
Boettner EA, Wolter JR.  Transmission of the ocular media . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1962;;1:776-783.
24 +
Werner JS, Steele VG, Pfoff DS.  Loss of human photoreceptor sensitivity associated with chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation . Ophthalmology . 1989;;96:1552-1558.
25 +
Liu IY, White L, LaCroix AZ.  The association of age-related macular degeneration and lens opacities in the aged . Am J Public Health . 1989;;79:765-769.
26 +
West SK, Rosenthal FS, Bressler NM, et al.  Exposure to sunlight and other risk factors for age-related macular degeneration . Arch Ophthalmol . 1989;;107:875-879.
27 +
Rosenthal FS, West SK, Munõz B, Emmett EA, Strickland PT, Taylor HR.  Ocular and facial skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight: a personal exposure model with application to a worker population . Health Physics . 1991;;61:77-86.
28 +
West SK, Rosenthal F, Newland HS, Taylor HR.  Use of photographic techniques to grade nuclear cataracts . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1988;;29:73-77.
29 +
Taylor HR, West SK.  A simple system for the clinical grading of lens opacities . Lens Res . 1988;;5:175-181.
30 +
Bressler NM, Bressler SB, West SK, Fine SL, Taylor HR.  The grading and prevalence of macular degeneration in Chesapeake Bay watermen . Arch Ophthalmol . 1989;;107:847-852.
31 +
Green AES, Chai S.  Solar spectral irradiance, visible and infrared regions . Photochem Photobiol . 1988;;48:477-486.
32 +
Rosenthal FS, Phoon C, Bakalian AE, Taylor HR.  The ocular dose of ultraviolet radiation to outdoor workers . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1988;;29:649-656.
33 +
Rosenthal FS, Bakalian A, Taylor HR.  The effect of prescription eyewear on ocular UV exposure . Am J Public Health . 1986;;76:1216-1220.
34 +
Smith AH, Waxweiler RJ, Tyroler HA.  Epidemiologic investigation of occupational carcinogenesis using a serially additive expected dose model . Am J Epidemiol . 1980;;112:787-797.
35 +
Sliney DH.  Eye protective techniques for bright light . Ophthalmology . 1983;;90:937-944.
36 +
Chylack LT, Ransil BJ, White O.  Classification of human senile cataractous change by the American Cooperative Cataract Research Group (CCRG) method, III: the association of nuclear color (sclerosis) with extent of cataract formation, age, and visual acuity . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1984;;25:174-180.
37 +
Taylor HR.  Climatic droplet keratopathy and pterygium . Aust J Ophthalmol . 1981;;9:199-206.
38 +
Young RW.  Solar radiation and age-related macular degeneration . Surv Ophthalmol . 1988;;32:252-269.
39 +
Gottsch JD, Pou S, Bynoe LA, Rosen GM.  Hematogenous photosensitization: a mechanism for the development of age related macular degeneration . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1990;;31:1674-1682.

First Page Preview

First page PDF preview

Figures

Tables

Interactive Graphics

Video

Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal

1 +
Van Heyningen R.  The human lens, I: a comparison of cataracts extracted in Oxford (England) and Shikapur (W.Pakistan) . Exp Eye Res . 1972;;13:136-147.
2 +
Hiller R, Giacometti L, Yuen K.  Sunlight and cataract: an epidemiologic investigation . Am J Epidemiol . 1977;;105:450-459.
3 +
Zigman S, Datiles M, Torczynski E.  Sunlight and human cataracts . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1979;;18:462-467.
4 +
Taylor HR.  The environment and the lens . Br J Ophthalmol . 1980;;64:303-310.
5 +
Hollows F, Moran D.  Cataract—the ultraviolet risk factor . Lancet . 1981;;2:1249-1250.
6 +
Hiller R, Sperduto RD, Ederer F.  Epidemiologic associations with nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts . Am J Epidemiol . 1986;;124:916-925.
7 +
Taylor HR, West SK, Rosenthal FS, et al.  Effect of ultraviolet radiation on cataract formation . N Engl J Med . 1988;;319:1429-1433.
8 +
Anderson JR.  A pterygium map . Acta Ophthalmol . 1954;;3:1631-1642.
9 +
Cameron ME.  Histology of pterygium: an electron microscopic study . Br J Ophthalmol . 1983;;67:604-608.
10 +
Taylor HR.  Aetiology of climatic droplet keratopathy and pterygium . Br J Ophthalmol . 1980;;64:154-163.
11 +
Moran DJ, Hollows FC.  Pterygium and ultraviolet radiation: a positive correlation . Br J Ophthalmol . 1984;;68:343-346.
12 +
Klintworth GK.  The cornea: structure and macromolecules in health and disease . Am J Pathol . 1977;;89:717-808.
13 +
Johnson GJ, Ghosh M.  Labrador keratopathy: clinical and pathological findings . Can J Ophthalmol . 1975;;10:119-135.
14 +
Johnson GJ, Overall M.  Histology of spheroidal degeneration of the cornea in Labrador . Br J Ophthalmol . 1978;;62:53-61.
15 +
Taylor HR, West SK, Rosenthal FS, Muñoz B, Newland HS, Emmett EA.  Corneal changes associated with chronic ultraviolet radiation . Arch Ophthalmol . 1989;;107:1481-1484.
16 +
Tso MOM.  Photic maculopathy in rhesus monkeys: a light and electron microscopic study . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1973;;12:14-34.
17 +
Ham WT Jr, Mueller HA, Ruffolo JJ, Guerry D III, Guerry RK.  Action spectrum for retinal injury from near-ultraviolet radiation in aphakic monkey . Am J Ophthalmol . 1982;;933:299-306.
18 +
Tso MOM.  Experiments on visual cells by nature and man: in search of treatment for photoreceptor degeneration . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1989;;30:2430-2454.
19 +
Ewald RA, Ritchey CL.  Sun gazing as the cause of foveo-macular retinitis . Am J Ophthalmol . 1970;;70:491-497.
20 +
Noell WK.  Possible mechanisms of photoreceptor damage by light in mammalian eyes . Vision Res . 1980;;20:1163-1171.
21 +
Lawwill T.  Three major pathologic processes caused by light in the primate retina: a search for mechanisms . Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc . 1982;;80:517-579.
22 +
Ham WT Jr, Mueller HA, Sliney DH.  Retinal sensitivity to damage from short wavelength light . Nature . 1976;;260:153-155.
23 +
Boettner EA, Wolter JR.  Transmission of the ocular media . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1962;;1:776-783.
24 +
Werner JS, Steele VG, Pfoff DS.  Loss of human photoreceptor sensitivity associated with chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation . Ophthalmology . 1989;;96:1552-1558.
25 +
Liu IY, White L, LaCroix AZ.  The association of age-related macular degeneration and lens opacities in the aged . Am J Public Health . 1989;;79:765-769.
26 +
West SK, Rosenthal FS, Bressler NM, et al.  Exposure to sunlight and other risk factors for age-related macular degeneration . Arch Ophthalmol . 1989;;107:875-879.
27 +
Rosenthal FS, West SK, Munõz B, Emmett EA, Strickland PT, Taylor HR.  Ocular and facial skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight: a personal exposure model with application to a worker population . Health Physics . 1991;;61:77-86.
28 +
West SK, Rosenthal F, Newland HS, Taylor HR.  Use of photographic techniques to grade nuclear cataracts . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1988;;29:73-77.
29 +
Taylor HR, West SK.  A simple system for the clinical grading of lens opacities . Lens Res . 1988;;5:175-181.
30 +
Bressler NM, Bressler SB, West SK, Fine SL, Taylor HR.  The grading and prevalence of macular degeneration in Chesapeake Bay watermen . Arch Ophthalmol . 1989;;107:847-852.
31 +
Green AES, Chai S.  Solar spectral irradiance, visible and infrared regions . Photochem Photobiol . 1988;;48:477-486.
32 +
Rosenthal FS, Phoon C, Bakalian AE, Taylor HR.  The ocular dose of ultraviolet radiation to outdoor workers . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1988;;29:649-656.
33 +
Rosenthal FS, Bakalian A, Taylor HR.  The effect of prescription eyewear on ocular UV exposure . Am J Public Health . 1986;;76:1216-1220.
34 +
Smith AH, Waxweiler RJ, Tyroler HA.  Epidemiologic investigation of occupational carcinogenesis using a serially additive expected dose model . Am J Epidemiol . 1980;;112:787-797.
35 +
Sliney DH.  Eye protective techniques for bright light . Ophthalmology . 1983;;90:937-944.
36 +
Chylack LT, Ransil BJ, White O.  Classification of human senile cataractous change by the American Cooperative Cataract Research Group (CCRG) method, III: the association of nuclear color (sclerosis) with extent of cataract formation, age, and visual acuity . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1984;;25:174-180.
37 +
Taylor HR.  Climatic droplet keratopathy and pterygium . Aust J Ophthalmol . 1981;;9:199-206.
38 +
Young RW.  Solar radiation and age-related macular degeneration . Surv Ophthalmol . 1988;;32:252-269.
39 +
Gottsch JD, Pou S, Bynoe LA, Rosen GM.  Hematogenous photosensitization: a mechanism for the development of age related macular degeneration . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci . 1990;;31:1674-1682.

Correspondence

Submit a Letter
CME Course for:


You need to register in order to view this quiz.


To understand the clinical management of acute heart failure syndromes.
Accreditation Information The American Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The AMA designates this journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM per course. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Physicians who complete the CME course and score at least 80% correct on the quiz are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM.
Note: You must get at least of the answers correct to pass this quiz.
Note: You must get at least of the answers correct to pass this quiz.
You have not filled in all the answers to complete this quiz
The following questions were not answered:
Sorry, you have unsuccessfully completed this CME quiz with a score of
The following questions were not answered correctly:
For CME Course: A Proposed Model for Initial Assessment and Management of Acute Heart Failure Syndromes
Indicate what changes(s) you will implement in your practice, if any, based on this CME course.
To view and print your certificate and access a summary of your CME courses go to My CME.
NOTE:
Citing articles are presented as examples only. In non-demo SCM6 implementation, integration with CrossRef’s “Cited By” API will populate this tab (http://www.crossref.org/citedby.html).
Compression-Only CPR: Pushing the Science Forward
Cone
AAM 2010;304:1493-1495.
All you need to read in the other general journals
BMJ 2010;341:c5893-c1494.
Submit a Comment

Some tools below are only available to our subscribers or users with an online account.

Related Content

Customize your page view by dragging & repositioning the boxes below.

© 2012 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
Powered bySilverchair Information Systems