'Light Pollution: The Possible Consequences of Excessive Illumination in Retina'

CONTIN MARIA ANA; BENEDETTO, MARÍA MERCEDES; QUINTEROS QUINTANA, MARIA LUZ; GUIDO MARIO EDUARDO

EYE

NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2015 vol. 30 p. 255 - 263

0950-222X

Light is the visible part of the electromagnetic radiation within a range of 380-780 nm; (400-700 onprimates retina). In vertebrates, the retina is adapted to capturing light photons and transmitting thisinformation to other structures in the central nervous system. In mammals, light acts directly on theretina to fulfill two important roles: 1) the visual function through rod and cone photoreceptor cellsand 2) non-image forming tasks, such as the synchronization of circadian rhythms to a 24 h solarcycle, pineal melatonin suppression and pupil light reflexes. However, the excess of illuminationmay cause retinal degeneration or accelerate genetic retinal diseases. In the last century humansociety has increased its exposure to artificial illumination, producing changes in the Light/Darkcycle, as well as in light wavelengths and intensities. Although, the consequences of unnaturalillumination or light pollution have been underestimated by modern society in its way of life, lightpollution may have a strong impact on people´s health. The effects of artificial light sources couldhave directly consequences on retinal health. Constant exposure, to different wavelengths andintensities of light promoted by light pollution may produce retinal degeneration as a consequenceof photoreceptor or retinal pigment epithelium cells death. In this review we summarize thedifferent mechanisms of retinal damage related to the light exposure which generates lightpollution.