Protective effect of light emitting diode phototherapy on fluorescent light induced retinal damage in Wistar strain albino rats.
BACKGROUND
Artificial light at night alters retinal physiology. Several studies have shown that light emitting diode phototherapy protects the retina from the damaging effects of acute light exposure.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study has been to elucidate the protective effects of 670 nm LED light on retinal damage induced by chronic fluorescent light in Wistar rats.


METHODS
Male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: group 1 were control (CL), group 2, 3 and 4 were exposed to fluorescent light (FL), LED preexposure+fluorescent light exposure (LL) and only LED light exposure (OL) respectively. All animals were maintained in their specific exposure regime for 30 days. Fluorescent light of 1800 lx was exposed between 8 pm to 8 am. Rats were exposed to therapeutic LED light of 670 nm of 9 J/cm2 at 25 mW/cm2 for 6 min duration. Histopathological changes in the retina were studied.


RESULTS
Animals of the FL group showed a significant reduction in the outer nuclear layer thickness and cell count in addition to the total thickness of the retina. LL group which were exposed to 670 nm LED prior to exposure to fluorescent light showed a significant decrease in the degree of damage.


CONCLUSIONS
670 nm LED light preexposure is protective to retinal cells against fluorescent light-induced damage.
Department of Physiology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India. Electronic address: drahamedbasha@gmail.com.
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Ahamed Basha
Department of Physiology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India.
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Mathangi
Department of Physiology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India.
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Shyamala
Department of Pathology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Kelambakkam, Chennai 603103, India.
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Ramesh Rao
D000417:Albinism / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D005453:Fluorescence; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology
D003345:Corticosterone
Fluorescent light; LED phototherapy; Outer nuclear layer; Retina