Optical effects of UV-A and UV-B radiation on the cultured bovine lens

Abstract

The effects of repeated exposures to UV-A (335 nm) and UV-B (305 nm) radiation on the crystalline lens were studied by treating cultured bovine lenses daily or weekly. The effects of irradiation on lens optical quality were monitored using an automated scanning laser system that records both relative transmittance and focal length across the lens. Relatively low radiant exposures of UV-B were used (0.06, 0.03, 0.01 J/cm²) compared to UV-A (1.44 J/cm²). In total, 38 treated lenses and 32 controls were cultured for times ranging from 400–1000 hours.

Results indicate that this range of UV-B exposure may represent the threshold for in vitro UV-B induced opacification. Lenses treated weekly with 0.06 J/cm² UV-B showed a significant decrease in transmittance compared to controls 69 hours after the first treatment and an increase in focal length variability. The ability of the lens to repair itself, as found in a previous single dose study, was absent after repeated doses. Lenses exposed daily to 0.03 and 0.01 J/cm² UV-B showed no significant change in transmittance or focal length variability compared to controls. Daily exposure to 1.44 J/cm² UV-A resulted in no significant change in transmittance or focal length variability compared to controls.

Key Words:

• lens
• ultraviolet radiation
• focal properties
• relative transmittance
• cattle (bovine)
• organ culture

Additional information

Notes on contributors

D. D. Stuart

Joyce Laing works in the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry, Playfield House, Cupar, Fife, and is a Consultant Art Therapist to Psychiatric Hospitals and Prisons and Chairwoman of the Scottish Society of Art and Psychology.