S-cone sensitivity in unilateral aphakia.

• Abstract: BACKGROUND: Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and blue light has been shown to cause retinal damage in animals. In humans, it has been argued that the loss of short-wavelength (S) cone sensitivity during normal aging may be related to chronic light exposure. METHODS: We measured sensitivity to blue and yellow lights presented on bright yellow backgrounds at several retinal eccentricities in both eyes of an observer with long-standing unilateral aphakia. RESULTS: For yellow lights, where media absorption is not a major factor, there was a 2-fold loss in sensitivity of long (L) and medium (M) wavelength cone mechanisms in the aphakic eye relative to the phakic eye. For blue lights detected by S-cones, there was a 10-fold loss of S-cone mechanism sensitivity in the aphakic eye, after differences in ocular media density were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that chronic exposure to short wavelength radiation impairs S-cone function.
• Authors: G L Savage, G Haegerstrom-Portnoy (Affiliation: College of Optometry, University of Houston, Texas.)
• Journal: Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry (Optom Vis Sci) Vol. 71 Issue 1 Pg. 17-22 (Jan 1994) ISSN: 1040-5488 [Print] UNITED STATES
• PMID: 8145992 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Aphakia, Postcataract (physiopathology)
• Humans
• Light
• Male
• Retina (radiation effects)
• Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells (physiology)
• Sensory Thresholds
• Ultraviolet Rays (adverse effects)