Solar radiation and age-related macular degeneration

doi:10.1016/0039-6257(88)90174-9

Survey of Ophthalmology

Volume 32, Issue 4, January–February 1988, Pages 252-269

https://doi.org/10.1016/0039-6257(88)90174-9 Get rights and content

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) involves a progressive impairment of the outer layers in the center of the retina. Experimental studies have demonstrated that bright light preferentially damages precisely the region that degenerates in AMD. The evidence that solar radiation is responsible for some of the deteriorative changes that lead to AMD is examined in this review. In the primate eye, the high-energy portion of the solar spectrum is most hazardous to retinal molecules, with damaging effects increasing as photon energy rises. This action spectrum is explicable by the quantum laws which describe the interaction of radiation with matter. High-energy visible and ultraviolet photons can produce molecular damage by a photochemical mechanism. The lesion is exacerbated by oxygen, which initiates free-radical chain reactions (photodynamic effects). Melanin exerts a protective effect against damage from sunlight. In the human retina, documented lesions from solar radiation range from the acute effects of sun-gazing to injuries resulting from prolonged periods of exposure in brightly illuminated environments. The damage occurs in the same region that degenerates in AMD. A cataractous lens and ocular melanin both protect the retina against AMD, as predicted by the radiation hypothesis. Identification of an environmental factor that evidently plays a role in the etiology of AMD provides the basis for a program of preventive medicine.

References (300)

A.M. Anaclerio et al.
Self-induced solar retinopathy by patients in a psychiatric hospital
Am J Ophthalmol
(1970)
R.E. Anderson et al.
Lipids of ocular tissues. VII
Arch Biochem Biophys
(1971)
R.E. Bensinger et al.
Purification and properties of superoxide dismutase from bovine retina
Exp Eye Res
(1982)
D.K. Berler et al.
Light intensity and visual acuity following cataract surgery
Ophthalmol
(1983)
E.E. Boldrey et al.
Retinal burns occurring at cataract extraction
Ophthalmology
(1984)
R.A. Bone et al.
Comparison of macular pigment densities in human eyes
Vision Res
(1971)
L.Y. Cheng et al.
Photodamage to hepatocytes by visible light
FEBS Lett
(1979)
C.A. Clarke et al.
Nutritional neuropathy in prisoners-of-war and internees from Hong-Kong
Lancet
(1946)
F.C. Cordes
A type of foveo-macular retinitis observed in the U.S. Navy
Am J Ophthalmol
(1944)
F.C. Cordes
Eclipse retinitis
Am J Ophthalmol
(1948)

R Crouch et al.

Superoxide dismutase activities of bovine ocular tissues

Exp Eye Res

(1978)

R.G. Cutler

Antioxidants, aging and longevity

T Das et al.

Solar chorioretinal burn

Am J Ophthalmol

(1956)

T.L. Dormandy

Biological rancidification

Lancet

(1969)

R.A. Ewald et al.

Sun gazing as the cause of foveomacula retinitis

Am J Ophthalmol

(1970)

C.C. Farnsworth et al.

Oxidative damage of retinal rod outer segment membranes and the role of vitamin E

Biochim Biophys Acta

(1976)

L Feeney-Burns et al.

Lipofuscin of human retinal pigment epithelium

Am J Ophthalmol

(1980)

C.S. Foote

Photosensitized oxidation and singlet oxygen: Consequences in biological systems

D.F. Fuller et al.

Retinal damage produced by intraocular fiber optic light

Am J Ophthalmol

(1978)

D.G. Fuller

Severe solar maculopathy associated with the use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

Am J Ophthalmol

(1976)

W.J. Geeraets et al.

Ocular spectral characteristics as related to hazards from lasers and other light sources

Am J Ophthalmol

(1968)

M.O. Hall et al.

Superoxide dismutase of bovine and frog rod outer segments

Biochem Biophys Res Commun

(1975)

B Halliwell

Biochemical mechanisms accounting for the toxic action of oxygen on living organisms: The key role of superoxide dismutase

Cell Biol Int Rep

(1978)

W.T. Ham et al.

Action spectrum for retinal injury from near-ultraviolet radiation in the aphakic monkey

Am J Ophthalmol

(1982)

D Adams et al.

Retina: Ultrastructural alterations produced by extremely low levels of coherent radiation

Science

(1972)

L.P. Agarwal et al.

Solar retinitis

Br J Ophthalmol

(1959)

B.B. Aggarwal et al.

Effect of visible light on the mitochondrial inner membrane

Biochem Biophys Res Commun

(1976)

V.A. Alder et al.

The retinal oxygen profile in cats

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci

(1983)

B.N. Ames

Dietary carcinogens and anticarcinogens

Science

(1983)

R.E. Anderson et al.

Lipid peroxidation and retinal degeneration

Current Eye Res

(1984)

W.J. Anderson et al.

Ultraviolet windows in commercial sunglasses

Applied Optics

(1977)

D Armstrong

Free radical involvement in the formation of lipopigments

A.K. Balin

Testing the free radical theory of aging

G.M. Barrow

R.W. Bellhorn et al.

Retinal vessel abnormalities of phototoxic retinopathy in rats

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci

(1980)

E.R. Berman et al.

The retinal pigment epithelium. Chemical composition and structure

Invest Ophthalmol

(1974)

K.C. Bhuyan et al.

Molecular mechanisms of cataractogenesis: III. Toxic metabolites of oxygen as initiators of lipid peroxidation and cataract

Current Eye Res

(1984)

A Birch-Hirschfeld

Über Sonnenblendung des Auges

Versamml d Ophthalmol Gesselsch Heidelberg

(1912)

A Birch-Hirschfeld

Die pathologische Wirkung der strahlenden Energie auf das Auge. 1. Blendung durch Sonnenlicht

Ergebn Allg Path des Menschen und der Tiere

(1914)

F.C. Blodi

Ophthalmology

JAMA

(1982)

M.S. Blois

Physical studies of the melanins

E.A. Boettner et al.

Transmission of the ocular media

Invest Ophthalmol

(1962)

B Borgwardt et al.

Spectral transmission characteristics of tinted lenses

Arch Ophthalmol

(1981)

W.E. Borley et al.

Central macular chorioretinitis in naval personnel

US Naval Med Bull

(1945)

A.E. Brayley

Dystrophy of the macula

G.H. Bresnick

Oxygen-induced visual cell degeneration in the rabbit

Invest Ophthalmol

(1970)

L Carter-Dawson et al.

Effects of moderate-intensity light on vitamin A-deficient rat retinas

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci

(1981)

L.C. Chumbley

Impressions of eye diseases among Rhodesian blacks in Marshonland

S Afr Med J

(1977)

M.H. Churchill

Dietary deficiency diseases among prisoners of war

J Roy Army Med Corps

(1945)

R.S. Crockett et al.

Oxygen dependence of damage by 435 nm light in cultured retinal epithelium

Curr Eye Res

(1984)

Cited by (339)

Long-term sequelae of photic eye injury from a solar eclipse
2024, Journal Francais d'Ophtalmologie
Photic ocular injuries are secondary traumatic injuries resulting from the toxic effects of the interaction between light and the eye, particularly the retina. We report the cases of two patients who experienced photic macular injury from their early childhood due to observing a solar eclipse without protection. The retinal lesions are mainly macular; these can be serious and irreversible. They are the consequence of photochemical, photomechanical and photothermal reactions. OCT is very useful for the diagnosis of these foveal lesions. The visual prognosis of solar retinopathy is generally favorable. However, some patients may develop permanent sequelae with a decrease in visual acuity. Management remains empirical and controversial. Thus, prevention and public education remain the only effective ways to avoid this type of trauma.
Les phototraumatismes oculaires sont des lésions traumatiques secondaires aux effets toxiques résultant de l’interaction entre la lumière et le globe oculaire particulièrement au niveau rétinien. Nous rapportons le cas de deux patients victimes de phototraumatismes maculaire dans leur jeune enfance après avoir regardé une éclipse solaire sans protection. Les lésions rétiniennes sont principalement maculaires ; celles-ci peuvent être graves et irréversibles. Ils sont la conséquence de réactions photochimiques, photomécaniques et photothermiques. L’OCT est très utile pour le diagnostic de ces lésions fovéales. Le pronostic visuel de la rétinopathie solaire est généralement favorable. Cependant, certains patients peuvent garder des séquelles définitives avec une diminution de l’acuité visuelle. La prise en charge reste empirique et controversée. Ainsi, la prévention et l’éducation du publique reste le seul moyen efficace pour éviter ce type de traumatisme.
Effect of ground-based environmental conditions on the level of dangerous ultraviolet solar radiation
2022, Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer
An analytical model is suggested to determine the contribution of solar radiation scattered by dispersed layers of weakly absorbing highly-porous media on the surface of the earth to the local UV-index, which characterizes harmful ultraviolet irradiation. The transport approximation for the single-scattering phase function and the two-flux method for approximate radiative transfer calculations were used to calculate an additional UV irradiance due to multiple scattering in the layer of a substrate medium. Three important environment conditions are considered in the case problems: the snowpack in a mountain ski resort of Provo (Utah), the salt layer in the Great Salt Lake desert, and the layers of sand typical of sand resorts and beaches. The optical properties of the media were calculated using the data for spectral optical constants of substances in the near-ultraviolet and analytical geometrical optics solution for large spherical particles of a weakly absorbing material. The resulting spectral single-scattering transport albedo of the medium was used to determine an additional harmful UV radiation. It was found that corrected values of the UV-index in all three cases are substantially higher than those calculated without account for the light reflected from a scattering medium on the earth surface. The model of the present paper can be used for different dispersed media in a wide range of physical parameters.
Lux study: Contribution of a three-dimensional, high dynamic range, ultra-high-definition heads-up visualization system to a significant delivered light intensity decrease during different types of ocular surgeries
2021, Journal Francais d'Ophtalmologie
To explore the hypothesis that using a large, three-dimensional (3D), ultra-high-definition (4K), heads-up display (HUD) system in a real-life setting may be associated with a significant reduction in light intensity (LI) delivered during various types of eye surgery.
Single center, post-learning curve observational study of 142 independent consecutive cases: 73 cataracts and 69 vitrectomies (VR). For each group, the only variable setting was the LI. The LI delivered by each source was calibrated in lumens (lm).
In the VR group, the delivered LI dramatically decreased from the 80% reference to 27.8% ± 13.2% (P < 0.0001) (4.3 to 1.5 lm). Among these surgeries, 91.3% needed 40% or less LI (2.3 lm). The corneal transparency and quality of pupil dilation showed some correlation with the results. In the cataract group, the difference was even more spectacular, from 80% to 15% ± 11.3% (P < 0.0001) (2.5 to 0.3 lm). Among these surgeries, 80.8% required less than 20% LI (0.5 lm). The surgical time, LI variations and type of cataract seemed to influence the results, down to 9.6% ± 5.4% (P < 0.0001) (0.22 lm) for nuclear cataracts, which represented 63% of the cataract sample.
The digital signal amplification with this HUD system allows comfortable posterior as well as anterior segment surgery despite the decrease in incident light, suggesting an unprecedented reduction in the risk of phototoxicity compared to conventional systems as well as a likely improvement in patient comfort.
Explorer l’hypothèse que l’utilisation d’un système de visualisation 3D « tête haute » à très haute définition en « vie réelle » serait associée à une réduction significative de l’intensité lumineuse (IL) délivrée pendant différents types de chirurgies oculaires.
Étude monocentrique observationnelle post-courbe d’apprentissage, sur 142 cas consécutifs indépendants : 73 cataractes et 69 vitrectomies (VR). L’IL a été le seul réglage pouvant varier pour chaque groupe. Les IL délivrées par chaque type de source ont été calibrées en lumens (lm).
Dans le groupe VR, l’IL délivrée a été très inférieure à la valeur de référence de 80 % (4,3 lm), soit 27,8 % (1,5 lm) ± 13,2 % (p < 0,0001). Parmi ces chirurgies, 91,3 % ont requis 40 % ou moins d’IL (2,3 lm). La transparence cornéenne et la qualité de la dilatation pupillaire ont montré une possible influence sur les résultats. Dans le groupe cataracte, la différence d’IL a été encore plus spectaculaire, de 80 % à 15 % ± 11,3 % (p < 0,0001) (2,5 à 0,3 lm). Parmi ces chirurgies, 80,8 % ont nécessité moins de 20 % d’IL (0,5 lm). La durée opératoire, la variation d’IL et le type de cataracte ont semblé influencer les résultats, avec notamment 9,6 % ± 5,4 % (p < 0,0001) (0,22 lm) pour les cataractes nucléaires, représentant 63 % des cas.
L’amplification digitale du signal avec ce système permet une visualisation confortable lors des chirurgies vitréorétinienne ou de cataracte malgré la faible intensité de la lumière incidente, suggérant une diminution sans précédent du risque de phototraumatisme par rapport au système conventionnel et une probable amélioration du confort des patients.
Effects and mechanisms of action of light-emitting diodes on the human retina and internal clock
2020, Environmental Research
White light-emitting diodes (LEDs) will likely become the most used lighting devices worldwide in the future because of their very low prices over the course of their long lifespans which can be up to several tens of thousands of hours. The expansion of LED use in both urban and domestic lighting has prompted questions regarding their possible health effects, because the light that they provide is potentially high in the harmful blue band (400–500 nm) of the visible light spectrum. Research on the potential effects of LEDs and their blue band on human health has followed three main directions: 1) examining their retinal phototoxicity; 2) examining disruption of the internal clock, i.e., an out-of-sync clock, in shift workers and night workers, including the accompanying health issues, most concerningly an increased relative risk of cancer; and 3) examining risky, inappropriate late-night use of smartphones and consoles among children and adolescents. Here, we document the recognized or potential health issues associated with LED lighting together with their underlying mechanisms of action. There is so far no evidence that LED lighting is deleterious to human retina under normal use. However, exposure to artificial light at night is a new source of pollution because it affects the circadian clock. Blue-rich light, including cold white LEDs, should be considered a new endocrine disruptor, because it affects estrogen secretion and has unhealthful consequences in women, as demonstrated to occur via a complex mechanism.
Targeting Keap1 by miR-626 protects retinal pigment epithelium cells from oxidative injury by activating Nrf2 signaling
2019, Free Radical Biology and Medicine
Citation Excerpt :
Oxidative stresses represent an important pathological mechanism of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and many other retinal degenerative diseases [41–43]. Oxidative stress induces direct and sustained damage to RPE cells and other ophthalmic cells, causing severe injury [41–43]. Here we show that targeting Keap1 by miR-626 activates Nrf2 signaling to protect ophthalmic cells from oxidative injury.
Activation of the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) cascade can offer significant protection against oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Here, we identified a novel kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-targeting microRNA, microRNA-626 (miR-626) that activates Nrf2 signaling. In ARPE-19 cells and primary human RPE cells, ectopic overexpression of miR-626 targeting the 3′-UTR (3′-untranslated region) of Keap1 downregulated its expression, promoting Nrf2 protein stabilization and nuclear translocation, leading to expression of ARE-dependent genes (HO1, NOQ1 and GCLC). Functional studies showed that miR-626 protected RPE cells from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative injury. Conversely, miR-626 inhibition induced Keap1 upregulation and Nrf2 cascade inhibition, exacerbating oxidative injury in RPE cells. Further studies demonstrated that miR-626 was ineffective in Keap1-knockout or Nrf2-knockout RPE cells. Importantly, miR-626 also activated Keap1-Nrf2 signaling cascade in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) and primary human retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), providing protection from H₂O₂. At last, we show that plasma miR-626 levels are significantly downregulated in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients than those in the healthy donors. We conclude that targeting Keap1 by miR-626 protects RPE cells and other ophthalmic cells from oxidative injury via activation of Nrf2 signaling cascade.
microRNA-4532 inhibition protects human lens epithelial cells from ultra-violet-induced oxidative injury via activating SIRT6-Nrf2 signaling
2019, Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
Ultra-violet radiation (UVR) can induce significant oxidative injury to human lens epithelial cells (HLECs). Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is shown to directly bind to Nrf2, essential for Nrf2 signaling activation. In the present study, we show that microRNA-4532 (miR-4532) targets SIRT6 to regulate Nrf2 signaling in HLECs. Ectopic overexpression of miR-4532 in HLECs decreased SIRT6 3′-UTR activity, causing SIRT6 downregulation and Nrf2 signaling inhibition. Conversely, miR-4532 inhibition, by a lentiviral construct, enhanced SIRT6 3′-UTR activity, SIRT6 expression and Nrf2 signaling activation. Functional studies show that UVR-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in HLECs were potentiated by miR-4532 overexpression, Nrf2 depletion or SIRT6 shRNA. Conversely, miR-4532 inhibition or ectopic SIRT6 overexpression attenuated UVR-induced oxidative injury in HLECs. Importantly, miR-4532 overexpression or inhibition was ineffective in SIRT6-KO or Nrf2-KO HLECs. Taken together, the results show that inhibition of miR-4532 protects HLECs from UVR-induced oxidative injury via activation of SIRT6-Nrf2 pathway. Targeting the miR-4532-SIRT6-Nrf2 pathway could be a novel strategy to protect HLECs from UVR and possible other oxidative stresses.

View all citing articles on Scopus

^☆: Supported by USPHS grant Ey 06370.

View full text

Current researchSolar radiation and age-related macular degeneration☆

Abstract

Am J Ophthalmol

Arch Biochem Biophys

Exp Eye Res

Ophthalmol

Ophthalmology

Vision Res

FEBS Lett

Lancet

Am J Ophthalmol

Am J Ophthalmol

Exp Eye Res

Am J Ophthalmol

Lancet

Am J Ophthalmol

Biochim Biophys Acta

Am J Ophthalmol

Am J Ophthalmol

Am J Ophthalmol

Am J Ophthalmol

Biochem Biophys Res Commun

Cell Biol Int Rep

Am J Ophthalmol

Retina: Ultrastructural alterations produced by extremely low levels of coherent radiation

Science

Solar retinitis

Br J Ophthalmol

Effect of visible light on the mitochondrial inner membrane

Biochem Biophys Res Commun

The retinal oxygen profile in cats

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci

Dietary carcinogens and anticarcinogens

Science

Lipid peroxidation and retinal degeneration

Current Eye Res

Ultraviolet windows in commercial sunglasses

Applied Optics

Free radical involvement in the formation of lipopigments

Testing the free radical theory of aging

Retinal vessel abnormalities of phototoxic retinopathy in rats

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci

The retinal pigment epithelium. Chemical composition and structure

Invest Ophthalmol

Molecular mechanisms of cataractogenesis: III. Toxic metabolites of oxygen as initiators of lipid peroxidation and cataract

Current Eye Res

Über Sonnenblendung des Auges

Versamml d Ophthalmol Gesselsch Heidelberg

Die pathologische Wirkung der strahlenden Energie auf das Auge. 1. Blendung durch Sonnenlicht

Ergebn Allg Path des Menschen und der Tiere

Ophthalmology

JAMA

Physical studies of the melanins

Transmission of the ocular media

Invest Ophthalmol

Spectral transmission characteristics of tinted lenses

Arch Ophthalmol

Central macular chorioretinitis in naval personnel

US Naval Med Bull

Dystrophy of the macula

Oxygen-induced visual cell degeneration in the rabbit

Invest Ophthalmol

Effects of moderate-intensity light on vitamin A-deficient rat retinas

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci

Impressions of eye diseases among Rhodesian blacks in Marshonland

S Afr Med J

Dietary deficiency diseases among prisoners of war

J Roy Army Med Corps

Oxygen dependence of damage by 435 nm light in cultured retinal epithelium

Curr Eye Res

Current research
Solar radiation and age-related macular degeneration☆