blue-filtering IOL

[Zobert]

I have a cataract, and am weighing the benefits of a blue-filtering monofocal IOL (Alcon), violet-filter IOL (Zeiss), and UV-filtering IOL.  I realize the evidence is inconclusive, but I am puzzled by Alcon's claims that blue light creates an increased risk of macular degeneration.  If there is even limited evidence to support the toxicity of blue light, shouldn't optometrists prescribe blue-filtering lenses for younger patients?  And yet I am not aware of any standard practice of putting blue-filters in spectacle lenses or contact lenses (even Alcon does not have a blue-filtering contact lens).  Has anyone addressed this paradox?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[achillea]

Here's a 2008 paper from the British Journal of Opthalmology on blue filtering as it relates to physiological processes in ageing (but not to the 'toxicity' of blue light):

http://bjo.bmj.com/content/92/11/1439.full

There are links to related papers at the bottom of this one.

[Zobert]

The earlier discussion did not address my question of why blue-filtering is not a standard feature of eye glasses and contact lenses.  I don't believe my optometrist is even aware that blue light is considered toxic by the dominant IOL manufacturer.

BTW, I am not concerned with color perception, or night vision, but am concerned about the regulation of circadian hormones.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

There is an extensive discussion of this issue in the last few weeks, the original poster being an astrophysicist that uses a telescope, JodieJ contributed.

Use the search feature and archives as this has all been covered.

JCH MD