ULTRAVIOLET-INDUCED LENTICULAR FLUORESCENCE - INTRAOCULAR STRAYLIGHT AFFECTING VISUAL FUNCTION

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) excitation of fluorophores within the crys talline lens results in intraocular straylight. These fluorescent emis sions are known to increase with age. The visual effect of this increa se in fluorescent straylight has not previously been published. In thi s study, the visual deficit associated with UV-induced lenticular fluo rescence was measured for 61 normal subjects between the ages of 21 an d 80 yr of age using the Regan visual acuity charts at varying levels of contrast. UVR was shown to decrease low contrast acuity and this lo ss increased linearly with age.