Potential application of photoluminescent filters for use in ophthalmology

The use of filters in ophthalmology is not new, but usually they operate by just blocking light of a particular wavelength. In contrast, photoluminescence filters are theoretically able to provide an altered wavelength of light to reach the retina, an approach which potentially can be exploited for therapeutic purposes. Our working hypothesis is that providing a means to deliver a reduced amount of harmful UV-blue light and an increased amount of beneficial red-near infrared light to retinal neuronal mitochondria will improve the health of the tissue and so enhance the health of the retina. The purpose of this communication is a) to briefly review the evidence behind our working hypothesis, b) to propose and describe luminescent spectral conversion filters that might be used to non-invasively achieve our aims related to our hypothesis, and c] to provide some preliminary experimental data to show that such luminescent filters coated on a glass substrate can convert UV-blue light to sufficient red light to enhance cell survival in cultured cells.