AIM: To research the morphological and fuctional change of human retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)induced by mobile phone screen light in vitro and the mRNA express of apoptotic inhibitor B-cell lymphoma(Bcl-2), Bcl2-Associated X(Bax)and apoptotic actuators Caspase-3 in different groups.

METHODS: Cultured human RPE cells were divided into different group in random. According to the time of exposing, the four groups were 3h group, 6h group, 12h group and no light-exposed group. Cells of different groups were exposed to the opening mobile phone that was kept high-light brightness and playing on the colorful picture on silent mode. The morphological and functional change of RPE was quantified after exposed by HE staining, TUNEL staining, MTT, and use the technology of polymerase chain reaction(PCR)to detect the mRNA express of apoptotic inhibitor Bcl-2, Bax and apoptotic actuators Caspase-3 in different groups.

RESULTS: The different was not statistically significant(P>0.05)in the way of HE staining, TUNEL staining and MTT. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax and Capase-3 intracellular was no difference statistically significant in 3h, 6h group to no exposure group on the way of PCR(P>0.05). But as the time of exposed increased to 12h, the expression of apoptotic inhibitor Bcl-2 decreased, at the same time the expression of apoptotic actuators Bax and Caspase-3 increased, and the different was statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: The human RPE would be injured under the constantly high-light brightness of mobile phone screen as the man-made light source.