Towards standardization of UV eye protection: what can be learned from photodermatology?

Abstract

SUMMARYWhile knowledge about standardization of skin protection against ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has progressed over the past few decades, there is no uniform and generally accepted standardized measurement for UV eye protection. The literature provides solid evidence that UV can induce considerable damage to structures of the eye. As well as damaging the eyelids and periorbital skin, chronic UV exposure may also affect the conjunctiva and lens. Clinically, this damage can manifest as skin cancer and premature skin ageing as well as the development of pterygia and premature cortical cataracts. Modern eye protection, used daily, offers the opportunity to prevent these adverse sequelae of lifelong UV exposure. A standardized, reliable and comprehensive label for consumers and professionals is currently lacking. In this review we (i) summarize the existing literature about UV radiation-induced damage to the eye and surrounding skin; (ii) review the recent technological advances in UV protection by means of lenses; (iii) review the definition of the Eye-Sun Protection Factor (E-SPF®), which describes the intrinsic UV protection properties of lenses and lens coating materials based on their capacity to absorb or reflect UV radiation; and (iv) propose a strategy for establishing the biological relevance of the E-SPF.

Periorbital melasma: Hierarchical cluster analysis of clinical features in Asian patients

“…Two major clinical features of photo‐aging include coarse wrinkles and irregular pigmentation disorders . Also, chronic UV exposure may affect the periorbital skin, conjunctiva, and lens .…”

Blue light irradiation suppresses dendritic cells activation in vitro

“…But the risk of side effects from erythema to severe skin damages like invasive squamous cell carcinomas limits long-term and child treatment (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Blue light irradiation is an UV-free alternative, but the functional mechanisms of this treatment remain elusive (6)(7)(8)(9). Surprisingly, in a prior observational study on patients with atopic dermatitis, we have recently observed in situ that epidermal Langerhans cells were not depleted from skin after several blue light treatments (6), which is in stark contrast to what is reported for UV irradiation protocols (10) and thus has been excluded as the mode of action.…”

Violet Light Exposure Can Be a Preventive Strategy Against Myopia Progression

“…According to the international lighting vocabulary of the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) (CIE, 2006), the bottom limit of the visible light is defined to be between 360 and 400 nm which overlaps the upper end of ultraviolet (UV) A region (Krutmann et al, 2014). This range, in fact, is visible as violet light, but it is also recognized as UV as well.…”