Blue light-blocking IOLs unnecessary

Article

There is no current proof that blocking blue wavelengths guarantees retinal protection and, couple this with the fact that blocking this form of light causes an actual loss in visual quality, Alessandro Franchini MD, suggests we concentrate our efforts on blocking UV and violet radiations instead.

There is no current proof that blocking blue wavelengths guarantees retinal protection and, couple this with the fact that blocking this form of light causes an actual loss in visual quality, Alessandro Franchini MD, suggests we concentrate our efforts on blocking UV and violet radiations instead.

It has been an acknowledged fact for more than 25 years that UV radiation is potentially harmful to the retina and more recent studies have suggested that there is also a relationship between violet and blue radiations and macular degeneration. Franchini, of the University of Florence Eye Institute, Italy, discussed the results of a study comparing three light blocking IOLs: the AMO ClariFlex silicone lens with UV block, the Alcon AcrySof Natural lens that blocks UV, violet and 50% of blue light and the AMO OptiBlue which blocks UV and violet wavelengths. The aim of the study being to assess which lens provides the best protection whilst also retaining good visual results.

Using dedicated software and a pseudophakic eye model, the CIE (Commission Internationelle d'Eclairement) day and night curves were calculated. The curves define the average efficiency of the standard eye according to wavelength, taking into consideration photopic and scotopic conditions. First the ClariFlex and Alcon Natural lenses were compared; the difference in their day curves was negligible, however, their night curves were significantly different, with the Clariflex proving to be more sensitive. A similar result was seen when comparing AMO OptiBlue and Alcon Natural, the OptiBlue was considerably more sensitive in scotopic conditions.

The lenses were then given an efficiency value (EV): Clariflex was given an EV of 100%, in scotopic conditions, OptiBlue was given an EV of 97% and the Natural lens just 90%.

The clear conclusion seems to be that, while blocking UV and violet wavelengths is both efficient and safe, blocking blue light is unnecessary since it is not guaranteed to offer further protection and it can cause a loss in the quality of vision.

Ophthalmology Times Europe reporting from the XXIV Congress of the ESCRS, London, 9-13 September, 2006.

Newsletter

Join ophthalmologists across Europe—sign up for exclusive updates and innovations in surgical techniques and clinical care.

Recent Videos
Christine Curcio, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, shares histology update and revised nomenclature for OCT with Sheryl Stevenson of the Eye Care Network and Ophthalmology Times
SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO, shares key points from his retina presentation at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium
Robert Sergott, MD, describes fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) and the International SPECTRALIS Symposium – And Beyond (ISS) in Heidelberg, Germany.
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, spoke with Ophthalmology Times Europe about his presentation. It's titled "An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma" at the International SPECTRALIS Sympsoium. In conversation with Hattie Hayes, Ophthalmology Times Europe
Anat Loewenstein, MD, describes her presentation on remote imaging for age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium, in conversation with Hattie Hayes of Ophthalmology Times Europe
Tyson Brunstetter, OD, PhD, a US Navy Aerospace Optometrist at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, shares key takeaways from his keynote at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium (ISS)
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, shares his presentation, titled An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma, at this year's International SPECTRALIS Symposium
At the Retina World Congress, Siegfried Priglinger, MD, speaks about ensuring the best outcomes for preschool-aged patients
At the 2025 ASCRS meeting, Robert Ang, MD said small aperture IOLs can benefit all patients, especially those with complex corneas or who have undergone previous corneal refractive surgery
Viha Vig, MBChB graduate student at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, discusses her poster presentation on the relationship between mitochondiral disease, Alzheimer disease, and other types of dementia.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.