THE OCULAR DOSE OF ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION FROM SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE

Abstract

Abstract— The ocular toxicity of ultraviolet radiation has been demonstrated in acute photokeratitis and is suspected of contributing to cataractogenesis and senile macular degeneration. While previous studies have emphasized photochemical and epidemiologic aspects of ocular UV‐B irradiation, little is known about the extent of such exposure in human subjects. To determine levels of ocular UV‐B exposure from sunlight, four mannikin headforms were fitted with UV‐B sensitive film (polysulphone) and exposed on an unobstructed rooftop (Baltimore, Md.: latitude = 39.5 degrees) to four hours of sunlight (11 am‐3 pm local time) over a three month period (June‐August). Simultaneous measurements of o..