Sunlight and human conjunctival action spectrum

Anthony P. Cullen; Sharmila C. Perera

doi:10.1117/12.180814

21 July 1994 Sunlight and human conjunctival action spectrum

Anthony P. Cullen, Sharmila C. Perera

Proceedings Volume 2134, Laser-Tissue Interaction V; and Ultraviolet Radiation Hazards; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.180814
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Retrospective epidemiological studies implicate solar ultraviolet as a contributing factor in several human corneal/conjunctival disorders including spheroidal degeneration, pterygium and pinguecula. The inferior bulbar(ocular) conjunctivae of 64 human volunteers were irradiated with narrow band ultraviolet radiation biomicroscopy, differential in vivo staining, and impression cytology. The conjunctival response was symptomless and characterized by injection, chemosis, damaged epithelial cells, and the presence of inflammatory cells. The action spectrum showed a similar response to that for human corneal epithelium but with slightly lower damage thresholds (3mJcm^-2at 270 nm). No response was produced at 330 nm. Irradiance levels were the same order of magnitude as solar UVB and these results suggest the sub-clinical damage would be produced within minutes of direct exposure to sunlight. The potential for repeated conjunctival trauma supports the hypothesis that chronic exposure to enviornmental UVR contributes to degenerative changes in the cornea and conjunctiva.

Citation Download Citation

Anthony P. Cullen and Sharmila C. Perera "Sunlight and human conjunctival action spectrum", Proc. SPIE 2134, Laser-Tissue Interaction V; and Ultraviolet Radiation Hazards, (21 July 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.180814

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