Environmental near-UV radiation and cataracts

Optom Vis Sci. 1995 Dec;72(12):899-901. doi: 10.1097/00006324-199512000-00008.

Abstract

This report compares sunlight UV-A and UV-B fluxes in the Northeastern United States that reach the crystalline lens with thresholds that cause lens damage. The fluxes of UV-A and UV-B radiation that reach earth to penetrate the cornea and to reach the lens were calculated. Ten hours of continuous UV-A exposure or 23 min of UV-B would exceed the rabbit cornea threshold for photokeratitis. The lens threshold would be reached by 26 h of UV-A or 245 h of UV-B continuous exposure. The sequence of UV-induced damage follows: (1) UV-B photokeratitis; (2) UV-A photokeratitis; (3) UV-A lens damage; and (4) UV-B lens damage.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cataract / etiology*
  • Cornea / radiation effects
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Humans
  • Lens, Crystalline / radiation effects*
  • Rabbits
  • Radiation Injuries / etiology*
  • Radiation Injuries, Experimental / etiology
  • Sciuridae
  • Sensory Thresholds
  • Sunlight / adverse effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects*