December 2002
Volume 43, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   December 2002
Increased Radiation Exposure of the Lower Lid From Reflected Ultraviolet Light From the Cornea: A Computational Analysis
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • TN Pira
    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Washington University Saint Louis MO
  • P Custer
    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Washington University Saint Louis MO
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   T.N. Pira, None; P. Custer, None.
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science December 2002, Vol.43, 3035. doi:
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      TN Pira, P Custer; Increased Radiation Exposure of the Lower Lid From Reflected Ultraviolet Light From the Cornea: A Computational Analysis . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2002;43(13):3035.

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: The incidence of squamous cell and basal cell carcinoma of the lower lid is higher than the incidence on the upper lid. A possible explanation is increased exposure to ultraviolet radiation of the lower lid margin from reflected ultraviolet light from the tear film overlying the cornea. Using principles of optical reflection, the theoretical amount of additional radiative flux can be calculated. Methods: A mathematical model was developed using normal values of corneal curvature and basic principles of reflectivity at an air-water interface. An ideal spherical surface of the cornea was assumed with the lower lid margin at the base of the cornea. Fresnel’s law of reflection was used to calculate the amount of reflected light from the cornea at different incident angles of sunlight. All incoming rays were assumed to be parallel. Only the reflection off the anterior tear film surface was considered. Results: Preliminary data demonstrate a maximal increase in radiation intensity on the lower lid when the angle of incident light is 72.9 degrees above the horizon. This result applies only to the portion of the lower lid directly below the most anterior aspect of the cornea. Most of the reflected rays come from 1.4 to 2.2 mm below the apex of the cornea, where a glancing angle causes the majority of the light to be reflected instead of transmitted. The quantity of additional flux depends on assumptions of lid width and the number of discrete computational corneal segments used in the model, but appears to be at least 50% over the normal incident flux. Conclusion: In theory, there is increased radiative flux to the lower lid from reflected ultraviolet light from the cornea. The higher incidence of carcinoma on the lower lid may stem, in part, from the higher exposure to ultraviolet radiation. However, the amount of reflected ultraviolet light may not be enough to explain the difference in incidence of carcinoma between the lower lid and upper lid. Confirmation of the theoretical results can be obtained by laboratory measurements using a simulated corneal surface or by real measurements on human lids.

Keywords: 364 computational modeling • 537 radiation damage: light/UV • 410 eyelid 
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