​​New Research Links Blue Light to Macular Degeneration Risk, Antioxidants May Offer Hope​

Reviewed by Preeti Subramanian, PhD, BrightFocus Foundation 

Exposure to blue light—found in digital devices and natural sunlight—can cause eye damage and increase the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 

“While blue light may not directly cause AMD, excessive digital screen time can lead to eye strain and disrupt sleep patterns, potentially affecting overall eye health,” said Preeti Subramanian, PhD, Director of Vision Science Programs at BrightFocus.  

Yong-Su Kwon, PhD, a BrightFocus Foundation Macular Degeneration Research grant recipient, believes there may be a way to protect the eye from damaging blue light—by using a natural antioxidant found in certain eye cells. The most recent findings from by Dr. Kwon and his mentor Zongchao Han, MD, PhD, were recently published in Advanced Science. 

“Neutralizing oxidative stress [high amounts of free radicals] by pharmacological antioxidants has emerged as one potential treatment to attenuate pathological damages for AMD,” Dr. Kwon said. “If successful, this study could improve and prevent pathological damage via single-dose [eye injection] for AMD.” 

Blue Light From Digital Devices and Sunlight Increases Macular Degeneration Risk 

Because blue light has a high energy, when it reaches the retina, it can react with molecules there to form unstable free radicals. Over time, exposure to high amounts of free radicals can damage eye cells. 

One way the eye protects itself from this kind of damage is with the dark pigment melanin. By absorbing blue light, melanin prevents free radicals from forming in the eye. However, when melanin is absent or not working properly, free radicals can accumulate in the eye and damage retinal pigment epithelium cells. 

These cells form a single layer next to the retina, nourishing it and disposing of waste by transporting molecules in and out. Aging, inflammation, and other factors can compromise the ability of retinal pigment epithelium cells to do their job—a key trait of AMD. 

Antioxidant Protects Eye From Blue Light Damage 

In their latest study, Dr. Kwon and his team tested whether polydopamine could protect retinal pigment epithelium cells against the damaging effects of blue light in AMD models. Polydopamine has similar physical and chemical properties to melanin, potentially mimicking its antioxidant action in the eye.   

In an earlier study, Dr. Kwon and his team found that this molecule accumulates in the same layer as the retinal pigment epithelium cells and remains there for up to three months when injected into the eye. This showed the potential for polydopamine to be long-acting. 

The new study demonstrated that polydopamine eye injections reduce the amount of free radicals in retinal pigment epithelium cells—similar to melanin. Polydopamine also reduced inflammation and damage to the eye cells caused by exposure to blue light. 

Additional studies are needed to explore polydopamine as a potential treatment for AMD. If successful, this molecule could provide an effective way to protect the eye against exposure to harmful blue light. 

AMD Therapy Study Builds on Earlier Nanomedicine Research 

This innovative work builds on Dr. Kwon’s previous work in nanomedicine—a type of medical research that makes changes on a very small biological scale. He focused on the early disease detection and response to different therapeutic strategies. Dr. Kwon’s expansive research helped ​him​ study ways to protect retinal cells against oxidative stress, he says. 

The ​latest​ research also highlights the importance of scientists and physicians from diverse backgrounds working together to understand disease and develop new treatments. 

This collaborative approach “has led to many exciting discoveries and innovations in my research area,” ​Dr. ​Kwon said. "My goal is to give a [person] suffering from various diseases accurate diagnoses and therapeutics based on my thorough observations.” 

“Adopting these practices can help you enjoy your devices while keeping your eyes healthy!” Dr. Subramanian said.

You may also be interested in: 

• Macular Degeneration Overview 
• Macular Degeneration Treatments 
• Macular Degeneration Eye Health 

About BrightFocus Foundation          

BrightFocus Foundation is a premier global nonprofit funder of research to defeat Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Through its flagship research programs — Alzheimer’s Disease Research, National Glaucoma Research, and Macular Degeneration Research — the Foundation has awarded nearly $300 million in groundbreaking research funding over the past 51 years and shares the latest research findings, expert information, and resources to empower the millions impacted by these devastating diseases. Learn more at brightfocus.org.   

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