Ultraviolet-induced changes in corneal transmission properties and influence on Scheimpflug photography.

The effects of ultraviolet B (UV-B) irradiation on transmission of the rat cornea were studied in combination with or without naphthalene feeding. UV irradiation as well as naphthalene feeding caused a decrease in transmission in the wavelength region from 315 to 450 nm, UV irradiation being thereby the more hazardous influence. The combination of both noxae did not lead to a pronounced decrease as compared with UV irradiation alone. Although the histological findings of the eye lens suggest a syncataractogenic action of UV-B and naphthalene feeding, a corresponding effect could not be found by means of Scheimpflug photography. This could be possibly due to the alteration in corneal transmission properties following UV-B irradiation.