An investigation into eye protection for patients receiving oral psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA)

This study investigates the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) protection provided by various types of glasses for patients who have orally ingested psoralen. Psoralen is administered orally by patients, as part of PUVA photochemotherapy, 2 h prior to ultraviolet-A exposure. For 12–24 h post psoralen ingestion, there is a potential risk of ocular damage from solar UV (Lerman et al. in J Investig Dermatol 74(4):197–199, 1980). The patients must, therefore, wear eye protection during this period. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of commonly used eyewear for ocular protection during PUVA therapy. A range of glasses, including commercially available sunglasses, prescription sunglasses, prescription glasses without UV protection, and UV protective eyewear, were evaluated. The UV transmission rates of the lenses were measured using a spectrophotometer, followed by a spectroradiometer experiment with a UVA light source to assess the relative UV exposure of the eyewear. The results indicate that while standard UV-protective glasses effectively block UV transmission through the lens, real-world scenarios reveal that inadequate frame coverage can significantly reduce overall eye protection. This highlights the limitation of relying solely on lens transmission as a measure of protection and underscores the critical role of selecting well-designed frames with proper fit for patients during psoralen photosensitisation.