Ultraviolet radiation‐blocking characteristics of contact lenses: relevance to eye protection for psoralen‐sensitised patients

Anstey, Alexander Vincent; Taylor, Daniel J.; Chalmers, I.; Ansari, Ejaz

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0781.1999.tb00084.x

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(25 reference statements)

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“…A contact lens that adequately blocks UVR provides good protection because it provides coverage from obliquely incident UV rays and rays potentially reflecting from the posterior surface of sunglasses. In general, soft contact lenses offer more protection than a rigid gas permeable lens because the former provides complete corneal and partial conjunctival coverage while the latter only covers a portion of the cornea [128]. Luminous transmittance (tv) is the ratio of the total transmitted light to the total incident light.…”

Section: Physical Photoprotectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Windshields can block UVA up to 380 nm in length, but longer waves are transmitted through [129]. In contrast, side and back windows block only 21% UVA radiation [130]. Both side window glass and windshields can block all UVB radiation, but it is important to keep in mind that windshields provide better UV protection than side window glass [117].…”

Section: Physical Photoprotectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sun-protection strategies should be applied at even minimal levels of the UV index, and it should be taken more seriously when the UV index increases [131]. If the UV index is 8 or higher, indoor activities are suggested [128].…”

Section: Physical Photoprotectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Role of Ultraviolet Radiation in the Ocular System of Mammals

et al. 2014

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Abstract:With decreasing levels of ozone in the atmosphere, we are being exposed to higher levels of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) than ever before. UVR carries higher energy than visible light, and its effects on tissues include DNA damage, gene mutations, immunosuppression, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. In the eye, UVR is strongly associated with the development of basal and squamous cell carcinoma of the eyelid, pterygium, photokeratitis, climatic droplet keratopathy, ocular surface squamous neoplasia, cataracts, and uveal melanoma, and is weakly associated with age-related macular degeneration. Despite overwhelming evidence regarding the deleterious effects on UVR, public health measures to encourage UV protection of the eyes is generally lacking. Options for photoprotection include sunglasses, wide brim hats, windshields, plastic films for side windows in cars, UV blocking contact lenses, and following the UV Index report daily. The American National Standards Institute currently has regulations regarding properties of UV blocking sunglasses; however, compliance in the US is not mandatory. On the other hand, UVR does have therapeutic applications in the eye, particularly, riboflavin activated by ultraviolet A light (UVA) radiation is used clinically to slow the progression of keratoconus, post-LASIK keratectasia, and bullous keratopathy by crosslinking corneal collagen fibers. OPEN ACCESSPhotonics 2014, 1 348 Additionally, riboflavin activated by UVA has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects. This is clinically relevant in the treatment of infectious keratitis. Finally, exposure to low levels of light in the UV spectrum has been found to regulate the growth of the eye and lack of adequate exposure may increase the risk of development and progression of myopia.

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Section: Physical Photoprotectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Physical Photoprotectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Role of Ultraviolet Radiation in the Ocular System of Mammals

et al. 2014

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“…Early contact lenses, although uniformly absorbing UVB, were quite variable with respect to UVA (only 2 out of 9 tested, for example, had significant UVA absorption in a study done in 1999 (Anstey et al, 1999)). In the last decade, the UV-blocking characteristics of contact lenses have improved.…”

Section: Uv and Short-wave Light Absorption By Spectacle And Contact mentioning

confidence: 97%

Oxidative photodegradation of ocular tissues: Beneficial effects of filtering and exogenous antioxidants

Hammond

Johnson

George

2014

Experimental Eye Research

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The fact that light is necessary for life is generally accepted as an axiom. The extent to which light interacts and influences human biology, however, is often not fully appreciated. Exposure to sunlight, for instance, can both promote and degrade human health. There is now general scientific consensus that, although the eye evolved to respond to light, it is also damaged by excessive exposure. Light-mediated ocular damage is involved in the pathophysiology of many common forms of blindness. The type of ocular tissue damage induced by light exposure depends on the extent of exposure and wavelength. The tissues of the lens, cornea, and retina contain specific chemical moieties that have been proven to exhibit light-mediated oxidative degradation. Proteins and lipids present in the cornea, lens, and retina, meet all of the physical requirements known to initiate the process of oxidative photodegradation upon exposure to solar radiation. As such, different mechanisms have evolved in the lens, cornea, and retina to ameliorate such light-mediated oxidative damage. It appears, however, that such mechanisms are ill-matched to handle modern conditions: namely, poor diet and longer life-spans (and the degenerative diseases that accompany them). Hence, steps must be taken to protect the eye from the damaging effects of light. Preventative measures include minimizing actinic light exposure, providing exogenous filtering (e.g., through the use of protective lenses), and enhancing antioxidant defenses (e.g., through increased dietary intake of antioxidants). These strategies may yield long-term benefits in terms of reducing oxidative photodegradation of the ocular tissues.

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“…However, contact lenses will not provide protection to the anterior parts of the eyes. 82 Unfortunately there is currently still little concern by the public about eye protection. Surveys by telephone encounter and questionnaire found that knowledge of the public about the effects of sunlight on the eyes was low.…”

Section: Sunglassesmentioning

confidence: 99%