Influence of artificial luminous environment and TCM intervention on development of myopia rabbits

To explore the influence of artificial luminous environment and preventive function of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) intervention based on "Theory of yin-yang clock" on myopia.

A total of 45 New Zealand young rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups, 9 for each group. Control group was exposed in natural light. Fluorescent group and full spectrum group were exposed in fluorescent light and full spectrum light, on which basis fluorescent TCM group and full spectrum TCM group were added with "Rizhong Yinyang Formulas", respectively. Optical parameters were measured and the influence of different lights on the serum and retinal dopamine (DA) levels as well as the retinal histopathological tissues was observed.

The spectrum of fluorescent light mainly focused at 420-490 nm with the peak value of wavelength near 450 nm, whereas that of full spectrum was wider (400-800 nm) with the peak value near 600 nm. After 4 and 12 weeks, fluorescent group was evidently lower in serum and retinal DA levels (P<0.01), and there was no significant difference among full spectrum group, fluorescent TCM group and full spectrum TCM group (P>0.05). Histopathological observation showed that there was significant difference in pigment epithelium layer, photoreceptor and nerve fiber layer between fluorescent group and control group, but the difference among the test groups was not significant.

Fluorescent light has certain influence on retinal histological construction and visual performance. However, TCM intervention may have some degree of protective function on retina.