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Encyclopedia of Ophthalmology pp 1–2Cite as

Light Toxicity, Free Radical Damage; Photic Damage/Phototoxicity, Free Radical Damage

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Synonyms

Free radical damage; Light toxicity; Photic damage; Phototoxicity

Definition

Thermal, chemical, or mechanical damage to the retina as a result of exposure to visible or ultraviolet light.

Structure

Being a structure designed to receive images of incoming light energy, the eye contains inherent defense mechanisms to protect itself against damage from high light levels. In certain situations, however, these mechanisms can be overwhelmed, and the retina suffers permanent damage if light energy is high enough.

Function

The manifestation of light toxicity depends on the energy level of incoming light and which ocular structures absorb the energy (Gass 1997). Photothermal (photocoagulation) injury involves the absorption of light by melanin in the retinal pigment epithelium and choroid with the subsequent conversion of this energy to heat. If heat production elevates tissue temperature more than 10° Centigrade, proteins denature and produce cell damage, tissue inflammation, and...

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References

  • Gass JD (1997) Stereoscopic atlas of macular diseases diagnosis and treatment, 4th edn. Mosby, St. Louis, pp 760–769

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  • Mainster MA, Turner PL (2006) Retinal injuries from light: mechanisms, hazards, and prevention. In: Ryan SJ (ed) Retina, 4th edn. Elsevier, Philadelphia, pp 1857–1871

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  • Nanda SK (1999) Photic retinopathy. In: Guyer DR, Yanuzzi LA, Chang S, Shields JA, Green WR (eds) Retina-vitreous-macula, vol 2. W.B. Saunders Co, Philadelphia, pp 844–852

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Eye Institute- Medical College of WI, 925 N. 87th Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA

    William J. Wirostko

Authors
  1. William J. Wirostko
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to William J. Wirostko .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Ophthal & Optometry,AKH, Medical University of Wien Dept of Ophthal & Optometry,AKH, Wien, Austria

    Ursula Schmidt-Erfurth

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main Department of Ophthalmology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Thomas Kohnen

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Wirostko, W.J. (2012). Light Toxicity, Free Radical Damage; Photic Damage/Phototoxicity, Free Radical Damage. In: Schmidt-Erfurth, U., Kohnen, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Ophthalmology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35951-4_101-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-35951-4_101-3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-35951-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

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