Effects of ultraviolet radiation and visible light on hamster pupil.

Light does not cause a miotic response in mammals after a topical application of atropine. However, such common sense is based on the pupillary response to visible light. We found ultraviolet (UV) caused slight but evident miosis, even when the patient did not perceive visible light. In order to understand this mechanism further, we conducted in vitro experiments using hamsters. The in vitro hamster iris contracted even when the retina was withdrawn in an incubation solution. The contraction of the hamster pupil caused by visible light was inhibited by procaine, quinacrine, and by the withdrawal of divalent cations, but not by indomethacin, AA861, FPL55712 or autonomic blocking agents. UV-induced miosis was very delayed, continuing after cessation of UV stimuli. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid did not inhibit the miosis induced by UV and/or visible light. The UV-induced miosis was not significantly affected by allopurinol or verapamil, suggesting mechanisms other than neuronal mediation and oxidative stress. This study shows that the isolated hamster iris can react to UV and visible rays. UV-induced miosis is different from the miosis caused by light reflex. To our knowledge, UV-induced miosis has not yet been reported.