The surface of the eye is continuously exposed to the harshness of the external environment. As a homeostatic mechanism for replenishing the worn off cells of the ocular surface, a balance is maintained via the role of ocular stem cells. However, under extreme conditions of harshness like exposure to bright and ultraviolet light, the ocular stem cells are unable to do the repair mechanisms resulting in severe impairment of vision and disturbances in the eye. This work reappraises the recent understandings of mechanisms of oxidative damages caused to the ocular stem cells by UV/bright light and their probable mitigation.
Keywords: Cell signalling; Ocular stem cells; Oxidative damage; UVA; UVB; UVC.