Ultraviolet radiation oxidative stress affects eye health

Abstract

In the eye, ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is not known to contribute to visual perception but to mainly damage multiple structures. UVR carries higher energy than visible light and high dose exposure to UVR causes direct cellular damage, which has an important role in the development of cancer. This review provides an overview on the most recent knowledge on the role of UVR in oxidative stress (OS) in relation to noncancer ocular pathologies: various corneal pathologies, cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Possible OS signaling streams and mechanisms in the aging eye are discussed. Excessive exposure to UVR through live may seriously contribute to increase in OS of various eye tissues and thus lead to the advancement of serious ocular pathologies. Children are especially vulnerable to UVR because of their larger pupils and more transparent ocular media: up to 80% of a person's lifetime exposure to UVR is reached before the age of 18. Therefore, efficient everyday protection of the sensitive tissues of the eye by wearing of sunglasses, clear UVR-blocking spectacles or contact lenses should be considered from early age on. Many initiatives are taken worldwide to inform and raise the population's awareness about these possible UVR hazards to the eye.

Only IL‐1β release is inflammasome‐dependent upon ultraviolet B irradiation although IL‐18 is also secreted

“…The photons present in UVB are directly absorbed by DNA; UVB not only can cause direct mutagenic and cytotoxic damage in cells, but it also induces the production of ROS, which indirectly damages DNA 11‐13 . Although negligible amounts of UVB reach the retina in adults, 14,15 we have utilized it in our experimental model in order to mimic a DNA‐damaged environment in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Although it is known that RPE is vulnerable to DNA damage during aging, it is still unresolved whether or not the NLRP3 inflammasome becomes activated in human RPE cells under these conditions.…”

Oxidative Stress Mediates UVC-Induced Increases in Epidermal Autofluorescence of C57 Mouse Ears

“…Our study has also suggested that the AF increases are originated from UV-induced, cysteine proteasemediated keratin 1 degradation. Because oxidative stress plays critical roles in UVinduced skin damage (4,9), it is necessary to elucidate the roles of the UV-induced AF increases and keratin 1 proteolysis. Our current study has suggested that oxidative stress mediates the UV-induced AF increases and keratin 1 proteolysis.…”

“…Oxidative stress plays critical roles in UV-induced skin damage (4,9). A key question regarding our finding of UV-induced keratin 1 proteolysis is: Does oxidative stress play significant role in the UV-induced keratin 1 proteolysis?…”

Acute ultraviolet A exposure induces autophagy in RPE cells

“…Numerous epidemiological and experimental results have demonstrated that ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer and ocular disease, such as AMD [13][14][15][16]. Although the cornea and the lens of the eye substantially filter and attenuate UV radiation that enters the eyes, there is still a considerable amount of UV ray transmission to the retina.…”

“…The death and dysfunction of the RPE are closely associated with the pathogenesis of AMD [19], and the early and crucial event in AMD is impairment of the RPE [20]. Oxidative stress produced by UV radiation is a major factor associated with AMD, because oxidative stress not only leads to RPE cell damage and death [13,21] but also can cause protein misfolding and accumulation of lipid/protein aggregates in AMD [22].…”