SofPort AO IOL's Violet Shield Technology

[Rhondella]

With Bausch and Lomb's SofPort AO intraocular lens there are two versions; there is the option to chose the lens with "Violet Shield Technology"... the L161AO-V  (as opposed to the L161AO).  According to the Bausch and Lomb website, "The new SofPort AO Lens with Violet Shield Technology preserves sight day and night by taking a new approach to blocking harmful light rays. Instead of blocking blue light like competing lenses, the SofPort AO Violet Shield Lens provides a defense from potentially hazardous violet light, without compromising low-light vision."   Internet research indicates that this blocking of "violet" light is in addition to the blocking of ultra-viloet A and ultra-violet B light by the lens.
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Questions:  Is this ability to block "violet" light unique to the L161AO-V?   That is, does any other IOL have this ability?  And, how important is it to protect the retina from "violet" light?  Regarding UVA and UVB,  does the L161AO-V block UVA and UVB as well as the Tecnis Z9002?
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[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[JodieJ]

I can understand your concern, because I had reservations about getting Alcon's AcrySof IQs, with their "blue light filtration" feature.  I believe that the purpose of blocking blue light (Alcon) and violet light (Bausch & Lomb) is to provide protection against age related macular degeneration.  In the case of Alcon, the rationale for blue light filtration is based on rather weak correlational evidence, which was not supported by later research.  I actually wondered if the whole idea of blue-light filtration was invented in Alcon's marketing department.  On the other hand, I could find no credible evidence that blue-light filtration was potentially harmful.  I've been very happy with my AcrySof IQs.

Following Alcon's incorporation of a blue light filtration feature, Bausch & Lomb claimed that blocking violet light was what was really essential for protecting the retina against age related macular degeneration.  I've never read the research that this claim is based upon, but apparently none of the other manufacturers of IOLs agree with it.  In any case, I've read that the SofPort is a good IOL.

It's my understanding that all of the modern IOLs except the Crystalens provide good UV protection.  (Please correct me if I'm wrong about this.)