Evaluation of xenon, light-emitting diode (LED) and halogen light toxicity on cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the possible toxic effects of three light sources used in vitreoretinal endoillumination systems; halogen, xenon, and light-emitting diode (LED) on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell cultures, after two different exposure times.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: ARPE-19 human RPE cell cultures were exposed to halogen, xenon and LED light sources at a distance of 1,5 cm for 30 and 60 minutes with equal lumen output levels. Cells in the control group were not exposed. RPE cell cultures were compared in terms of cell viability, DNA damage, apoptosis rate and IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF- α levels.

RESULTS: The halogen light group showed significantly more DNA damage, higher TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels and lower viable cell count at 30 minutes compared to the control group. The rates of early and late apoptosis were also significantly higher at 60 minutes. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the parameters between the xenon and LED light sources and the control group at 30 or 60 minutes.

CONCLUSION: New generation lights, xenon and LED, seem to be safe in terms of RPE cells. Halogen light may cause toxic effects on RPE cells when used for a long time with maximal power output.