ABSTRACT
Although the human eye is constantly subjected to both artificial and sunlight,
damage rarely occurs from this light exposure unless the eye is aged (Dillon,
1991; Balasubramanian, 2000; Zigman, 2000; Andley, 2001; Roberts, 2001a) or
the light is particularly intense (Sliney, 1999; 2002). However, many drugs,
dietary supplements, cosmetics and diagnostic dyes have the potential to induce
damage to the lens and retina in the presence of ambient light (Fraunfelder,
1982; Dayhaw-Barker, 1987; Roberts, 1996). This danger is enhanced with
increased exposure to intense light because of high altitudes (Hu et al., 1989),
outdoor employment (Sliney, 2001), sun bed use, or phototherapy for seasonal
depression (Roberts, 2000, 2001; Roberts et al., 1992a).
