Harshini Chakravarthy Vasil Georgyev ^* Cole Wagen Amir Hosseini Joanne Aiko Matsubara ^*

• University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Exposure to sunlight, specifically the wavelengths associated with blue light, impacts the physiology of light-absorbing retinal cells. In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the long-term effects of artificial light exposure from light emitting diodes (LEDs) and modern electronic devices which emit a high proportion of their light in the blue wavelength. Here, we explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying blue light-induced retinal degeneration, as well as the strengths and limitations of currently used model systems. Our article summarizes findings that will appeal to the broad readership of Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, while aligning well with the research topic on cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain-aging. The retina is a developmental and anatomical extension of the central nervous system (CNS), and a unique model system for studying neurodegenerative diseases, sharing striking molecular parallels with the brain. Not surprisingly, several features of neurodegeneration reported in the brain are also detected in retinal diseases. In this minireview, we highlight the latest research trends for readers interested in blue-light induced phototoxicity in the retina, and its implications in age-related macular degeneration.