Frequency cumulative effect of subthreshold energy laser-activated remote phosphors irradiation on visual function in guinea pigs

Int J Ophthalmol. 2022 Feb 18;15(2):213-220. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2022.02.04. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Aim: To explore the effects of laser-activated remote phosphors (LARP) on visual function in guinea pigs.

Methods: Electroretinogram (ERG) of guinea pigs were observed after LARP irradiation at different frequencies and irradiation times. We evaluated the expression of rhodopsin, β-catenin, connexin36, calretinin, and calbindin in the retina of guinea pigs and measured the density of photoreceptor cells after high-frequency LARP irradiation.

Results: After LARP irradiation, the ERG results showed that the amplitude of the dark-adapted 3.0 b-wave of the model eye was lower than that of the control eye after high-frequency irradiation (P<0.05). The expression of rhodopsin, β-catenin, connexin36, calretinin, and calbindin in the retina of guinea pig declined.

Conclusion: There is frequency cumulative damage effect on the retina that relates to LARP illumination frequency. This has significance for staff visual protection policies under LARP lighting conditions.

Keywords: irradiation; retina; visual function; visual protection.