[The eye and ultraviolet radiation].

Abstract

The latest investigations show that the ultraviolet radiations are more dangerous for the eye than appreciated up to now. There exist 3 types of UV rays: 1. UV with wavelengths between 100 and 280 nm, absorbed by the ozone layer of the stratosphere and which have no impact; 2. UV with wavelengths between 280 and 315 nm, noxious for the cornea; 3. UV with wavelengths between 315 and 400, noxious both for the cornea and for the lens. When the lens is removed, the UV rays penetrate into the retina, where they provoke cystoid macular edema and then detachment of retina of the anterior pole (A ultraviolet with wavelengths between 315 and 400 nm). Up to the age of 10, the cornea and the lens permit UV penetration. After this age, a cumulative effect is produced, by the appearance in the cornea and the lens of fluorescein "chromatophores", a pigmentation, a change of the soluble proteins into insoluble ones, with high molecular weight and appearance of free radicals. The final results of these changes is the formation of a cataract. Aphakia permits the penetration of the UV rays into the retina, where their phototoxic effect works and therefore the implantation of the lens for retaining the UV with 400 nm wavelength is necessary.