Recovery of absolute threshold with UVA-induced retinal damage

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984 · Physiol. Behav.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(84)90284-1· OSTI ID:5885953

Henton, W W; Sykes, S M

A within-trial psychophysical procedure tracked the initial loss and subsequent recovery of visual thresholds in albino rats exposed to ultraviolet light at 350 nanometers and 0.4 milliwatts per square centimeter. Absolute thresholds increased up to 5 log units immediately following the 15 hour ultraviolet exposure, with a daily recovery of 1-2 log to asymptotic thresholds over a 7-day post-exposure period. The corresponding retinal damage on Day 1 included extensive vesiculation of the photoreceptor outer segments, vacuolation of the inner segments, and pyknosis of cell nuclei. The total number of photoreceptor nuclei and outer segments was unchanged relative to control eyes through post-exposure Day 3. Both nuclei and outer segment counts then consistently decreased 15-20 percent between Days 3-7. The two-stage loss of photoreceptors but daily recovery of absolute thresholds again suggests a significant dissociation of retinal structure and psychophysical function in light-induced ocular pathology.

• Research Organization: National Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Rockville, MD
• OSTI ID: 5885953
• Journal Information: Physiol. Behav.; (United States), Vol. 32:6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
RETINA
INJURIES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
RATS
VISION
ANIMALS
BODY
BODY AREAS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
EYES
FACE
FUNCTIONS
HEAD
MAMMALS
ORGANS
RADIATIONS
RODENTS
SENSE ORGANS
VERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects