Blue Light from Cell Phones Can Cause Chronic Retinal Light Injury: The Evidence from a Clinical Observational Study and a SD Rat Model

Abstract

Background. To investigate the chronic photodamage induced by the low-intensity blue light of phones, we carried out a clinical pilot study and established an animal model by irradiating SD rats with a homemade illuminator. Methods. Clinical investigation: A total of 25 clinical medical workers in our hospital were selected and divided into a control group and an observation group according to the daily video terminal use time. Multifocal electrophysiological system (Mf-ERG) was used for retinal functional examination. Animal experiment: A total of sixty SD rats were randomly divided into a control group ( n = 6 ) and an experimental group ( n = 54 ). The experimental rats were divided into nine groups, which were exposed to the blue light illuminator of the simulated cell phone array for different time. The visual electrophysiology of the rats was tested, and changes in structure were observed by H&E staining and transmission electron microscopy. Results. In clinical investigation, macular centers near the concave area retinal photoreceptor cells have reduced amplitude. In animal experiments, the amplitude of photoreceptor cells decreased, the peak time was delayed, and the amplitudes were lower in the experimental groups. H&E staining and transmission electron microscope showed retinal tissue structure and functional damage in experimental groups. Conclusions. Long-term exposure to low-illuminance blue light can cause retinal tissue structure and functional damage, and the chronic damage due to low-illuminance light warrants attention. The clinical registration number is 2018-KY-KS-LHL.

Blue light exposure collapses the inner blood-retinal barrier by accelerating endothelial CLDN5 degradation through the disturbance of GNAZ and the activation of ADAM17

“…This damage was illuminance-dependent, demonstrating the harmful effects of blue light, even without a resulting retinal cell death. Our findings are aligned with the clinical investigation of volunteers with daily terminal video usage cumulative time of over 8 h. This occupational exposure reduces the amplitude of retinal photoreceptors and delays the peak time [ 39 ]. Thus, the structural and functional damage of the retina induced by low-illuminance blue light warrants attention.…”

Blue Light—Ocular and Systemic Damaging Effects: A Narrative Review

“…Focusing their attention on VDTs as well, Li et al conducted a clinical observational study in which they observed the chronic photodamage induced by the low-intensity blue light of phones [ 48 ]. With the use of mfERG, they examined the response of several small retinal regions in the macular area of 25 healthy participants whose use of VDTs was high.…”

Potential Protective Role of TRPM7 and Involvement of PKC/ERK Pathway in Blue Light–Induced Apoptosis in Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells in Vitro

“…41,42 Previous studies have shown that the effect of blue light on the retina depends on the frequency bands. 43,44 In addition, blue light exposure induced apoptosis in RPE cells in vitro in durationand intensity-dependent manner, and 6-hour exposure to 2000 lux is the optimum condition for triggering photodamage in human RPE cells. 20,27 In this study, we successfully established an in vitro blue light damage model by irradiating rodent RPE cells with the light of wavelength range 440 AE 10 nM, and the optimum conditions were as previously described.…”