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• UV and RP
• Posted: 2009-05-13 08:19:52 By cap b
• Having RP I've always been told to wear the best UV block sunglasses I can get. Now it has been brought to my attention that there seem to be no studies linking UV to progression of RP. Anyone able to direct me to articles etc. that might explain this. The only thing I can seem to find is the often repeated line "Wearing UV protection sunglasses may help slow the progression of retinitis pigmentosa". But nothing on why. Avoiding UV exposure has been a constant in my life for 20 years and now it appears there is no reason. Thanks.
  
  Confused in Nevada.

• Sunglasses
• Posted: 2009-05-20 14:32:45 By Kristine A
• The quick answer is that there is no data that I am aware of that shows that show a link between U.V. exposure and accelerated progression of RP. However, there are a number of studies that show that "visible" (non U.V.) blue light is able to accelerate photoreceptor cell death in "animal models" of RP. So, based on the animal studies, it might make sense for someone with RP to wear sunglasses with a yellowish or brown tint, which filter our blue light. However, until there is a clinical trial, we really won't know if it helps. By the way, the cornea and lens filter almost all U.V. light so that very little if any ever reach the retina.
  
  Thank you.
  Foundation Fighting Blindness

• blue light
• Posted: 2009-05-22 09:07:54 By cap b
• Thank you. that was most helpful. As I've obviously misunderstood this for a long time I was wondering if you could point me to articles or references about blue light animal studies. It's about time I understood this properly.