In Vivo Dose–Response Effect of 300 nm UV Radiation on the Ocular Lens Epithelial Cells Count

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Purpose To assess how varying doses of ultraviolet radiation affect the distribution of lens epithelial cells. Methods Forty Sprague Dawley rats were exposed unilaterally to ultraviolet radiation-300 nm at doses of 1, 3, 6, and 8 kJ/m2. One week after exposure, lenses from both the exposed and the unexposed contralateral eyes were collected for analysis. A midsagittal section from each lens was stained with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and examined using fluorescence microscopy to evaluate lens epithelial cell distribution. Results The difference in lens epithelial cell density between exposed and non-exposed eyes at doses of 1, 3, 6, and 8 kJ/m2 was measured as 95% confidence interval values of −0.1 ± 2.1, 0.1 ± 3.0, −4.1 ± 1.4, and −2.9 ± 2.7 cell·μm−1·10−2, respectively. Data were analyzed using a linear model with the initial density difference set to zero. The slope of the dose–response relationship was estimated as 95% confidence interval −0.4 ± 0.1 cell·μm·kJ−1·1010. Conclusion Exposure to ultraviolet radiation-300 nm reduces lens epithelial cell density. The linear model provides a quantitative understanding of the relationship between ultraviolet radiation dose and cell density.