Ophthalmohelioses and peripheral light focusing by the anterior eye

Minas T. Coroneo

doi:10.1117/12.180815

21 July 1994 Ophthalmohelioses and peripheral light focusing by the anterior eye

Minas T. Coroneo

Proceedings Volume 2134, Laser-Tissue Interaction V; and Ultraviolet Radiation Hazards; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.180815
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

A coincidence of the locations of foci of scattered light in the anterior eye with the usual locations of common sun-related eye conditions has been observed. These phenomena may explain the pathogenesis of pterygium and the initial location of certain cortical lens opacities and eyelid malignancies. Human and bovine eyes were used to demonstrate that the anterior eye acts as a side-on lens system. Light incident at the temporal limbus can be concentrated at the nasal limbus or beyond or at the nasal crystalline lens equator. The main pathways of light are transcameral and this is demonstrated by the use of baffles. Although this phenomenon is obvious with visible light, focusing of light at 308nm can be demonstrated. Computer-assisted optical ray tracing in a standard human anterior segment model showed that the peak intensity at the distal limbus is approximately twenty times that of the incident light intensity. The degree of limbal focusing is determined by corneal shape and anterior chamber depth. Such light focusing may be particularly injurious to corneal and lenticular epithelial stem cells. These observations provide circumstantial evidence that peripheral refraction phenomena are involved in the pathogenesis of the anterior ophthalmohelioses. Adequate lateral protection of the eye from increasing ultraviolet insolation may be prudent.

Citation Download Citation

Minas T. Coroneo "Ophthalmohelioses and peripheral light focusing by the anterior eye", Proc. SPIE 2134, Laser-Tissue Interaction V; and Ultraviolet Radiation Hazards, (21 July 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.180815

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