Blue Light and AMD – ARVO 2006
While some do not consider the
blue light-AMD link as proved, there is increasingly compelling evidence that
this link exists.
A quick scan of a selection of studies from the 2006 ARVO
meetings indicates the high level of concern about the relationship between
blue light exposure and the development of AMD. All of these papers show
results that are consistent with the thesis that blue light exposure induces
oxidative stress that contributes to the development of AMD.
ARVO is the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
3799 Established Risk Factors for Age-Related Maculopathy Are
Associated With a Relative Lack of Macular Pigment in Healthy Subjects J.M.
Nolan et al Age-related maculopathy (ARM), which may damage central
vision, is the leading cause of severe visual impairment in elderly white
populations in the Western World. Although the aetiopathogenesis of this
disease remains unclear, there is a growing, and plausible, consensus that
cumulative blue light damage and/or oxidative stress play a role.
1375 The Correlation of Blue Light Induced Apoptosis and Vascular
Endothelial Growth Factor Production in Human RPE Cells K.A. Rezaei
et al. It is known that long term exposure to blue light induces apoptosis
in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. In this study we evaluated and
correlated the effect of short term blue light exposure on apoptosis and
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production in RPE cells.
Conclusions: ...Our findings indicate that blue light exposure may play a role
in age related macular degeneration.
4818 Dimethylthiourea Protects Retinal Photoreceptors Against Blue Light
Stress in Bovine and Primate Primary Cultures G.Vissvesvaran, et
al Light induced photoreceptor damage is believed to be
associated with age related macular degeneration (AMD). The primary objective
of this study was to investigate the effect of DMTU on blue light stress in
bovine and primate primary retinal cell cultures.
2075 The Effect of A2-E and Its Photo-Derivatives to RPE-Cells
M.Hammer et al A2-E, a major component of the retinal pigment
epithelium (RPE) lipofuscin, is known as a compound which can neither be
degraded by nor eliminated from the cells and which is toxic as well as
phototoxic to the cells. Illumination of A2-E with short wavelength light
results in isomerisation, photo-oxidation, as well as photolysis.
Conclusions: Spectral shifts by bleaching with blue light as well as its
retardation under oxygen depletion support the theory of photo-epoxidation of
A2-E to oxiranes. The cytotoxicity of the oxiranes is demonstrated by the
increased damage rate found in cells supplemented with blue light-irradiated
A2-E.
2885 HPLC-ESI/MS Analysis of A2E and Its Relation With Carotenoids in
Overlying Retina B.Serban et al
A2E and its isomer iso-A2E, the major fluorophores of lipofuscin in human
retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), are thought to be important mediators of
light-induced oxidative damage associated with aging. Understanding the
biochemical mechanisms of their formation and function may provide helpful insight
into the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
4801 Protective Effect of Crocin Against Blue and White Light Mediated
Photoreceptor Cell Death in Bovine and Monkey Retinal Primary Cell Culture
A.Laabich et al, Light exposure has been attributed to the incidence
of age related macular degeneration (AMD).
Conclusions: These results show that blue and white fluorescent light
selectively induce rods and cones cell death in this in vitro model.
1533 Blue Light Induces A2E Oxidation in Rat Eyes A.R.
Wielgus et al
Blue light induced retinal injury has been associated with age-related
macular degeneration. A2E is a blue light absorbing retinal chromophore that
increases with age..
Conclusions: It appears that blue light exposure promotes the oxidation of A2E
and iso-A2E to A2E epoxides in the rat eyes. As these A2E oxides are toxic to
retinal tissue, this may partially explain blue light induced retinal injury.
These studies suggest that similar phototoxic effects may also take place in
human eyes...
2071 OT-674 Protects Against Photooxidative Processes in RPE Cells
J.Zhou et al
The pathogenesis of AMD involves RPE cell degeneration and much
consideration has been given to the role of oxidative damage in the demise of
these cells.... As cells that are exposed to light, RPE may be at risk, at
least in part, because they accumulate photoreactive compounds that constitute
the lipofuscin of the cell.
2887 The Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinase cAbl Is Involved in the Cell Death
Pathway Activated in A2E-Laden RPE Irradiated With Blue Light B.Cai,
et al
Aging and some retinal disorders are accompanied by the accumulation of
lipofuscin in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). We have previously shown
that the death of blue light irradiated RPE cells involves photooxidative
mechanisms...
2895 Retinal Damage Caused by White Fluorescent Light in Rats Is Not Altered
by Ultraviolet Cut-Off Filter S.Kaidzu, et al Intense
light exposure to rodent eyes has been used as an experimental model of retinal
degeneration. In this model, visible wavelengths of light are generally thought
to elicit the retinal damage. However, white fluorescent bulbs, which are
frequently used as a light source, radiate a broad spectrum of light including
ultraviolet (UV) A, UVB, and visible light. Since rodent crystalline lenses
transmit both UVA and visible light, UVA may also cause retinal degeneration in
this model. We tested whether UVA is involved in the mechanism of retinal
degeneration induced by white light exposure in rats. Conclusions: In this
model of light-induced retinal degeneration, visible light, but not UV, is the
major cause of retinal damage.
2076 Does Experimental Photodegradation of RPE Melanosomes Change Their
Antioxidant Properties? M.Zareba et al Accumulation of
oxidative damage over time by the RPE is believed to contribute to age-related
diseases such as AMD..
5764 Human Retinal Progenitor Cells Rescue RPE Cells From Oxidative
Damage R.S. Roque et al
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the most common cause of
irreversible vision loss in the elderly, results from oxidative damage to the
retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and concomitant photoreceptor cell apoptosis
due to loss of RPE trophic support.
1390 Blue-Light Irradiation Induces Oxidation of Phospholipids in Mouse
Retina M. Suzuki et al Oxidative stress is suggested to be
one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration
(AMD). We previously showed that oxidized phospholipids increased in AMD eyes
compared with age-matched normal eyes. To establish an AMD animal model, we
attempted to induce the oxidation of phospholipids in mouse retina by
irradiating blue-light.
Conclusions: These results indicate that long term blue-light irradiation
induces the oxidation of phospholipids in the ONL and RPE of mice. Blue-light
may be useful for developing an animal model of AMD.
2890 Vitamin C Increases Light-Induced Toxicity of All-Trans-Retinal to
Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells in vitro B.Rozanowski et al To
determine whether ascorbate (vitamin C, AscH) can affect the susceptibility of
retinal pigment epithelial cells in culture to light-induced toxicity mediated
by all-trans-retinal (RAL) Conclusions: AscH can lead to an increase of phototoxic
effects of RAL via shifting the mechanism of photooxidative damage from singlet
oxygen-mediated to free radical-mediated.
2122 Macular Pigment Distribution in Patients With Age-Related
Maculopathy U.E. Schnurrbusch et al
Recent studies indicate that the density of macular pigment (MP) may
play a central role in development and progression of age-related maculopathy
(ARM).
2592 Retinal Degeneration and Neovascularization in Iron Overloaded
Cp/Heph Deficient Mice is Exacerbated by Bright Light Exposure and Aging
C.King et al Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common
cause of vision loss in the United States in those 50 or older.....and since
light can cause photo-oxidative damage, we tested whether bright light exposure
exacerbates the retinal degeneration. Conclusions: These preliminary data imply
that light exposure may hasten the retinal degeneration seen in aging...
2318 Human Bruch's Membrane From Elderly Donors Is a Source of
Light-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species and Is Susceptible to Photooxidation
M.B. Rozanowska et al To determine the susceptibility of human Bruch's
membrane (BrM) to photooxidation and its ability to photogenerate reactive
oxygen species and induce lipid peroxidation.. Conclusions: Human BrM from
elderly donors is susceptible to light-induced oxidation and contains potent
photosensitizers generating superoxide, singlet oxygen, lidid hydroperoxides
and secondary products of lipid peroxidation when excited with ultraviolet or
blue light. It can be speculated that irradiation with blue light of BrM may
prove toxic to cells of neighbouring retinal pigment epithelium and/or choroid.
2089 Dietary Superoxide Dismutase Protects Against Light-Induced Retinal
Oxidative Stress in Young Senescence Accelerated Mice (SAM) P.Sicard
et al Oxidative stress from reactive oxygen species has been
implicated in many diseases including age-related macular degeneration, in
which the retinal pigment epithelium is a primary target.
....These results demonstrate that our light-exposure conditions promote
retinal oxidative stress...
1484 UV-Filter IOL versus Yellow Blue Light-Filter IOL in Combined Cataract
Surgery With Vitrectomy: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial C.I.
Falkner et al Conclusions: With evidence proved data that the blue
light is an important variable in age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the
yellow blue light-filter IOL could rapidly become the standard in cataract
surgery