title: Light pollution: the possible consequences of excessive illumination on retina.
abstract: Light is the visible part of the electromagnetic radiation within a range of 380-780 nm; (400-700 on primates retina). In vertebrates, the retina is adapted to capturing light photons and transmitting this information to other structures in the central nervous system. In mammals, light acts directly on the retina to fulfill two important roles: (1) the visual function through rod and cone photoreceptor cells and (2) non-image forming tasks, such as the synchronization of circadian rhythms to a 24 h solar cycle, pineal melatonin suppression and pupil light reflexes. However, the excess of illumination may cause retinal degeneration or accelerate genetic retinal diseases. In the last century human society has increased its exposure to artificial illumination, producing changes in the Light/Dark cycle, as well as in light wavelengths and intensities. Although, the consequences of unnatural illumination or light pollution have been underestimated by modern society in its way of life, light pollution may have a strong impact on people's health. The effects of artificial light sources could have direct consequences on retinal health. Constant exposure to different wavelengths and intensities of light promoted by light pollution may produce retinal degeneration as a consequence of photoreceptor or retinal pigment epithelium cells death. In this review we summarize the different mechanisms of retinal damage related to the light exposure, which generates light pollution.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, (CIQUIBIC, UNC-CONICET), Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Contín
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, (CIQUIBIC, UNC-CONICET), Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Benedetto
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, (CIQUIBIC, UNC-CONICET), Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Quinteros-Quintana
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba, (CIQUIBIC, UNC-CONICET), Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Guido
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000209:etiology*