Retinal Vulnerability to Light Pollution in Vitiligo: A Narrative Review of the Role of Melanin Loss in Ocular Phototoxicity.

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Background

Vitiligo is a condition characterized by the loss of pigmentation in certain areas of the body. It occurs when pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes, die or stop producing melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. This loss of pigmentation can affect any part of the body, including the lips, hair, and eyes. In the eyes, individuals with vitiligo may present a reduction or absence of pigmentation in the protective pigmentary layer, thereby increasing their susceptibility to light exposure, which raises the question of how does light pollution may affect the vision of individuals with vitiligo. Summary: This review examines the intersection between light pollution from light-emitting diode (LED) sources and vitiligo, highlighting experimental findings from adult albino rats as a model of ocular depigmentation, exposed to white LED light. Key Messages: We discuss the biological mechanisms of retinal vulnerability in the absence of melanin and the implications for understanding subclinical retinal changes in individuals with vitiligo. </p>.