Degree Type
Honors Capstone Project
Date of Submission
Spring 5-1-2007
Capstone Advisor
Dr. Barlow
Honors Reader
Dr. Engbretson
Capstone Major
Biomedical and Chemical Engineering
Capstone College
Engineering and Computer Science
Audio/Visual Component
no
Capstone Prize Winner
no
Won Capstone Funding
no
Honors Categories
Sciences and Engineering
Subject Categories
Biological Engineering | Other Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
Abstract
Because of the highly devastating effects of retinal degenerative diseases, the study of mechanisms of vision loss is imperative. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading causes of blindness in the elderly. In this study I examined how extreme light exposure, which causes light stress in rodents, affects the visual and retinal function of 3 strains of mice. I hypothesized that, three strains of mice, C57BL/6J, ALR/Lj and BALB/c, would all show significant changes in visual and retinal function. I used behavior testing to assess visual acuity and contrast sensitivity as well as electroretinogram (ERG) recordings to assess retinal function. I found that BALB/c mice, an albino strain, exposed to intermittent white light had the greatest impact on both visual and retinal function. Intermittent blue light also impaired vision in the BALB/c mice strain but to a lesser extent. I did not detect any change in C57BL/6J or ALR/Lj regardless of the exposure. These studies indicate that timing, duration, intensity and color of the extreme light exposure, as well as the strain of mice are all important factors mediating light induced vision loss.
Recommended Citation
Stachowiak, Ana, "Loss of Visual Function in Light-Stressed Mice" (2007). Honors Capstone Projects - All. 579.
https://surface.syr.edu/honors_capstone/579
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
