[Retinal as a photo-damage sensitizer of retinal-containing retina proteins]

In vision light may act as an information bearer and a dangerous injury factor. The perfection of visual reception bases on using some "details" which promote free-radical photooxidized destruction. The samples of such "details" are retinal-chromophores of all visual pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids of photoreceptor membrane phospholipids and thiol proteins. Reliable systems protecting structure of eyes against such damage have been formed in the course of evolution process. The review of details with photosensitizing properties of retinal and some other dangerous endogenous and exogenous sensitizers of retina and retinal pigment epithelium; with mechanisms of rhodopsin and interphotoreceptor retinal binding protein photodamage; with deterioration of structure and function of photoreceptor membrane, visual cells and retina, induced by photooxidation of proteins and lipids; with aggravation role of oxygen.