The Role of Light in Ocular Health and Disease
A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 2790
Editors
Interests: photobiomodulation treatment; retinal degenerations; retinal biology; human anatomy; neuroanatomy; medical education
Interests: retina; neurodegeneration; light damage
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue focuses on the critical role of light in the health and disease of the eye. This is a rapidly evolving field, attracting increasing attention across vision science, ophthalmology, and neuroscience. Light is not only essential for vision but also influences circadian rhythms, retinal neurotransmission, and cellular homeostasis. It also has healing capabilities if used appropriately. However, inappropriate exposure to light has been implicated in a range of ocular pathologies, including retinal degeneration, myopia, cataract formation, and oxidative stress-related damage to the cornea and lens.
We invite manuscripts that explore the diverse mechanisms through which light impacts ocular physiology and pathology, encompassing both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. Of particular interest are studies on light-induced retinal changes, protective versus harmful wavelengths, anterior segment responses to light exposure, and the cellular and molecular pathways linking light to ocular disease. We also welcome research on innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that leverage light, such as light-based treatments, and preventive strategies. This Special Issue brings together advances in basic science to highlight how light shapes eye health, identify knowledge gaps, and guide future interventions. We encourage contributions that address this timely and dynamic area of research and showcase how light can be a vital resource, treatment approach, or risk factor for ocular health.
Dr. Krisztina Valter
Dr. María Ana Contín
Dr. Monica Acosta
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cells is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- light
- photobiology
- light exposure
- circadian rhythms
- vision
- light-induced retinal damage
- phototoxicity
- photoprotection
- retinal degeneration
- light modulation
- oxidative stress
- light therapy
- photobiomodulation
- blue light effects
- Protective wavelengths
- harmful wavelengths
- ocular phototransduction
- light-based therapeutics
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