Ocular effects of near ultraviolet radiation: literature review.

The literature related to the effects on the eye of ultraviolet radiation in the wavelength range 300 to 400 nm is reviewed. Insufficient data are available to establish criteria for ocular protection. Exposure of the eye to sufficient quantities of near ultraviolet radiation can interfere with synthesis of crystalline lens protein, catalyze lens proteins, produce chromatic changes in the lens, and enhance formation of cataract.