Szemészet, 2002 (139. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2002-12-01 / 4. szám
26 Szemészet UV absorbance of the refractive structures of the eye in the 240-400 nm range Kolozsvári, Lajos,1 Nógrádi, Antal,1 Hopp, Béla,2 Bor, Zsolt2 'Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of Szeged 2Dept, of Optics and Quantum Electronics, University of Szeged Purpose: To determine the absorption characteristics of the light-refractive structures of the human eye in the ultraviolet range (240-400 nm). Methods: Consecutive 100 pm slices were prepared from the cornea, lens and vitreous body of a sample human globe, and the dependence of the UV absorbance (ABS) of each slice on the wavelength of the transmitted light was measured using a Shimadzu UV-2101 UV-VIS scanning spectrophotometer. In some cases the absorbance of the epithelium of the cornea and that of the lens capsule was measured as well. Results: The absorption coefficient of the most superficial composite layer (sample comprising epithelium and Bowman’s layer, together with some stroma) was found to be significantly higher than that of the pure stroma layers. Therefore, the epithelium and Bowman’s layer are thought to be responsible for the higher absorbance in this case. The anterior and posterior parts of the lens capsule have different UV-absorption characteristics; also, different regions of the lens itself display different absorption coefficients. The vitreous body was found to have considerable UV absorbance. Conclusions: All the refractive structures of the human eye have molecular components which absorb UV-B radiation. Our results suggest the particular importance of protecting these structures against damaging UV-B radiation. 2002 augusztus 30.
