ABSTRACT
The hypothesis that retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is worsened by blue light has been raised a century ago. In order to check this hypothesis we calculated the theoretical dose distribution of light on the retinal surface. The relative dose to the different parts of the retina was calculated using a Monte-Carlo method. The changes in the peripheral isopters were calculated both degrading at a constant rate and degrading proportionally to light exposure. There is a considerably greater exposure to the superior compared to the inferior visual field. The maximum dose of UV and blue light is located on the superior field about 4mm above the macula. The dose received by the peripheral retina is markedly lower than the dose received by the central retina. The visual field defects most commonly described in RP are concentric, centered by the macula. These defects cannot, therefore, be explained by the impact of light on the retina. But some regional form of RP with a superior field defect can result from an abnormal genetically encoded sensitivity to ultraviolet and blue light.
Subject(s)
Light , Retinitis Pigmentosa/physiopathology , Visual Fields , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Monte Carlo MethodABSTRACT
Ocular melanomas arise from the choroid. The results of our study of a total of 92 ocular melanomas would indicate that there is no preferential location for tumors on the eye. We estimated the ultraviolet (UV) radiation dose distribution using data available in the literature. We then compared tumor location and UV-radiation dose distribution. UVC and UVB do not reach the choroid, and UVA is filtered by the cornea and the lens. Only a small percentage of the incoming rays reach the posterior and inferior part of the retina, but none reach the superior and anterior part of the eye. We concluded that it is therefore very unlikely that UV-radiation exposure is responsible for choroidal melanoma.
