The photophysics and photobiology of the eye

The eye consists of three major segments: the cornea, lens and retina. The main function of the anterior ocular tissue, the cornea and the lens is to transmit and focus light on the retina without distortion. They also filter out UV light (less than 400 nm) and prevent it from reaching the retina. Much of the light reaching the retina is used for sight. However, light can have numerous other effects on the constituents of the eye, both beneficial and deleterious. This article reviews the interaction of light with the eye, various protective mechanisms, the possible role of light in aging and disease states and the role of light in biological processes other than sight such as mood, hormonal secretions and the cyclic growth and phagocytosis of the rods and cones.