Retinal light damage: Mechanisms and protection

By its action on rhodopsin, light triggers the well-known visual transduction cascade, but can also induce cell damage and death through phototoxic mechanisms – a comprehensive understanding of which is still elusive despite more than 40 years of research. Herein, we integrate recent experimental fi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Progress in retinal and eye research 2010-03, Vol.29 (2), p.113-134
Main Authors: Organisciak, Daniel T., Vaughan, Dana K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antioxidants - pharmacology
Apoptosis
Humans
Light - adverse effects
Light damage
Nerve Growth Factors - pharmacology
Oxidation
Oxidation-Reduction
Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate - radiation effects
Phototoxicity
Radiation Injuries, Experimental - etiology
Radiation Injuries, Experimental - physiopathology
Radiation Injuries, Experimental - prevention & control
Retina
Retina - physiopathology
Retina - radiation effects
Retinal Degeneration - etiology
Retinal Degeneration - physiopathology
Retinal Degeneration - prevention & control
Retinal pigment epithelium
Rod and cone photoreceptors
Visual cell
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Summary:By its action on rhodopsin, light triggers the well-known visual transduction cascade, but can also induce cell damage and death through phototoxic mechanisms – a comprehensive understanding of which is still elusive despite more than 40 years of research. Herein, we integrate recent experimental findings to address several hypotheses of retinal light damage, premised in part on the close anatomical and metabolic relationships between the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelium. We begin by reviewing the salient features of light damage, recently joined by evidence for retinal remodeling which has implications for the prognosis of recovery of function in retinal degenerations.  We then consider select factors that influence the progression of the damage process and the extent of visual cell loss. Traditional, genetically modified, and emerging animal models are discussed, with particular emphasis on cone visual cells. Exogenous and endogenous retinal protective factors are explored, with implications for light damage mechanisms and some suggested avenues for future research. Synergies are known to exist between our long term light environment and photoreceptor cell death in retinal disease. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of light damage in a variety of animal models can provide valuable insights into the effects of light in clinical disorders and may form the basis of future therapies to prevent or delay visual cell loss.
ISSN:1350-9462
1873-1635
DOI:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2009.11.004