Ultraviolet-induced lenticular fluorescence: Intraocular straylight affecting visual function

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) excitation of fluorophores within the crystalline lens results in intraocular straylight. These fluorescent emissions are known to increase with age. The visual effect of this increase in fluorescent straylight has not previously been published. In this study, the visual deficit associated with UV-induced lenticular fluorescence was measured for 61 normal subjects between the ages of 21 and 80 yr of age using the Regan visual acuity charts at varying levels of contrast. UVR was shown to decrease low contrast acuity and this loss increased linearly with age.

[1]  G. A. Geri,et al.  Psychophysical determination of intraocular light scatter as a function of wavelength , 1987, Vision Research.

[2]  M. A. Mosier,et al.  Autofluorescence and light transmission in the aging crystalline lens. , 1986, Ophthalmologica. Journal international d'ophtalmologie. International journal of ophthalmology. Zeitschrift fur Augenheilkunde.

[3]  D. Sliney.  Eye protective techniques for bright light. , 1983, Ophthalmology.

[4]  S. Wittenberg.  Solar radiation and the eye: a review of knowledge relevant to eye care. , 1986, American journal of optometry and physiological optics.

[5]  H. Spekreijse,et al.  An improved mathematical description of the foveal visual point spread function with parameters for age, pupil size and pigmentation , 1993, Vision Research.

[6]  S. Lerman.  Lens Fluorescence in Aging and Cataract Formation , 1976 .

[7]  A. Spector,et al.  Isolation and characterization of an age-dependent polypeptide from human lens with non-tryptophan fluorescence. , 1975, Experimental eye research.

[8]  E. Shettle,et al.  Multiple scattering calculation of the middle ultraviolet reaching the ground. , 1974, Applied optics.

[9]  R. Glickman,et al.  In situ measurements of lens fluorescence and its interference with visual function. , 1992, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[10]  M. Bullimore,et al.  Assessing the reliability, discriminative ability, and validity of disability glare tests. , 1993, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[11]  D. Borchman,et al.  Age dependence and distribution of green and blue fluorophores in human lens homogenates. , 1992, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[12]  George B. Benedek,et al.  Intraocular light Scattering , 1973 .

[13]  D B Elliott,et al.  CONTRAST SENSITIVITY DECLINE WITH AGEING: A NEURAL OR OPTICAL PHENOMENON? * , 1987, Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians.

[14]  M. Bando,et al.  Fluorescence in human lens. , 1973, Experimental eye research.

[15]  A. P. Cullen,et al.  Contact lenses and acute exposure to ultraviolet radiation. , 1989, Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry.

[16]  D. G. Pitts.  Sunlight as an ultraviolet source. , 1990, Optometry and Vision Science.

[17]  S. Lerman,et al.  Ultraviolet-visible slit lamp densitography of the human eye. , 1981, Experimental eye research.

[18]  D G Pitts,et al.  Ultraviolet-absorbing spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and intraocular lenses. , 1990, Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry.

[19]  J. V. van Best,et al.  Autofluorescence of the lens in diabetic and healthy subjects by fluorophotometry. , 1986, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[20]  H. Taylor,et al.  THE OCULAR DOSE OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION FROM SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE , 1985, Photochemistry and photobiology.

[21]  D Whitaker,et al.  Use of displacement threshold hyperacuity to isolate the neural component of senile vision loss. , 1989, Applied optics.

[22]  M. Blumthaler,et al.  Indication of increasing solar ultraviolet-B radiation flux in alpine regions. , 1990, Science.

[23]  R A Weale,et al.  Senile changes in visual acuity. , 1975, Transactions of the ophthalmological societies of the United Kingdom.

[24]  T. J. T. P. van den Berg,et al.  The intraocular straylight function in 129 healthy volunteers; Dependence on angle, age and pigmentation , 1990, Vision Research.

[25]  J. Vos.  Disability Glare A State of The Art Report , 1984 .

[26]  J. IJspeert,et al.  Dependence of intraocular straylight on pigmentation and light transmission through the ocular wall , 1991, Vision Research.

[27]  S. Lerman,et al.  Photochemistry and Lens Aging1 , 1978 .

[28]  F. S. Johnson,et al.  AVERAGE LATITUDINAL VARIATION IN ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AT THE EARTH'S SURFACE , 1976, Photochemistry and photobiology.

[29]  Sidney Lerman,et al.  Spectroscopic Evaluation and Classification of the Normal, Aging, and Cataractous Lens. (With 1 color plate) , 1976 .

[30]  R A Weale,et al.  Human lenticular fluorescence and transmissivity, and their effects on vision. , 1985, Experimental eye research.

[31]  J. Kuck,et al.  Induction, Acceleration and Prevention (in vitro) of an Aging Parameter in the Ocular Lens , 1976 .

[32]  S. Zigman,et al.  Coloration of human lenses by near ultraviolet photo-oxidized tryptophan. , 1972, Experimental eye research.

[33]  P A Sample,et al.  The aging lens: in vivo assessment of light absorption in 84 human eyes. , 1988, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[34]  The Charles F. Prentice Award Lecture 1990: specific tests and specific blindnesses: keys, locks, and parallel processing. , 1991, Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry.

[35]  B. Munoz,et al.  Ocular and facial skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight: a personal exposure model with application to a worker population. , 1991, Health physics.

[36]  K E Higgins,et al.  Spatial contrast sensitivity: effects of age, test-retest, and psychophysical method. , 1988, Journal of the Optical Society of America. A, Optics and image science.

[37]  J. Zuclich,et al.  Ultraviolet-induced photochemical damage in ocular tissues. , 1989, Health physics.

[38]  L. Paulsson,et al.  Contrast sensitivity in the presence of a glare light. Theoretical concepts and preliminary clinical studies. , 1980, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.