[The system of protection of the eye structures from photo damage. Screening pigments in vertebrates--melanosomes as inhibitors of photo-oxidation processes].

Melanosomes from retinal pigmented epithelium readily inhibit photooxidation of lipids. This effect is due to both passive screening of light and chemical interaction of melanosomes with products of oxidation. The role of melanosomes is discussed in the system of optic and chemical protection of eye structures from photo injury. It is suggested that in other tissues (skin) melanosomes account for the similar function of optic and chemical (antioxidative) protection from the injurious effect of UV and visible light.