Mitochondria as Potential Targets and Initiators of the Blue Light Hazard to the Retina

Figure 1

A schematic diagram of the retinal structure and a major distribution pattern of mitochondria. The human retina comprises ten distinct layers. The inner layers of the retina from the ILM to the dendrites of the horizontal and bipolar cells in the OPL are directly supplied with nutrients and oxygen through the retinal circulation, while the outer layers, from the RPE to the part of the OPL, as well as the fovea in primates, are indirectly supplied by the choroidal circulation across Bruch’s membrane. Mitochondria are mainly located in the following retinal structure or cellular components: (1) NFL; (2) around RGC nuclei; (3) IPL and OPL, where numerous synapses are located; (4) the outermost portion of photoreceptor IS; and (5) the basal surface of RPE cells.