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UVR‐effects in human versus animal eyes: more contradictions or more similarities?
Author(s) -
WEGENER A
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2008.5141.x
Subject(s) - cataracts , lens (geology) , human eye , cornea , experimental animal , animal model , biology , animal studies , animal species , ophthalmology , medicine , physiology , veterinary medicine , zoology , optics , endocrinology , paleontology , physics
Purpose To compare the characteristics and time scales of UV‐radiation effects in the eye, especially the lens, investigated and documented in human and various animal species. The target is to test the predictability potential of animal experiments for characterization of human UV‐risk scenarios. Methods Experimental studies on UV‐effects to the cornea and lens in mice and rats are critically compared to epidemiological studies on UV‐ effects to the human eye. Results Animal studies provide a broad spectrum of data on genetical and environmental factors leading to various types of cataracts and corneal alterations. Many patho‐physiological factors are identified. Epidemiological studies in humans identify other noxious factors but the most important difference seems to be the time scale and thus the age‐related difference in UV‐sensitivity of the lens and the anterior eye segment. Conclusion Future studies should focus more on species‐ and age‐related sensitivities of the lens to UVR effects and on the influence of systemic effects, also in relation to ocular immunology.