[Visual function with blue light filter IOLs].
BACKGROUND
Recently, intraocular lenses (IOLs) with a blue light filter have been introduced to protect the retina from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after cataract extraction. A reduction of longitudinal chromatic aberration by filtering blue light may enhance patient's visual function. In this study we compared subjective and objective parameters of visual function following implantation of blue light filter (yellow) IOLs and IOLs of the same design without filter.


METHODS
21 patients (21 eyes) underwent implantation of an IOL with a blue light filter (AF-1 UY, Hoya, Japan), 22 patients (22 eyes) received an IOL without blue light filter (AF-1 UV, Hoya, Japan). Patients were examined three months postoperatively for uncorrected and best corrected spectacle visual acuity, mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivity, colour vision and subjective quality of vision by a standard questionnaire.


RESULTS
Eyes with blue light filter IOLs did not show any significant difference in any parameter analysed when compared to eyes without the blue light filter IOL. Subjective quality of vision was considered to be high by all patients and no significant difference was observed between the two IOL groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The visual function of patients with blue filter IOLs is not significantly different to those without blue light filter IOLs. Since blue light filter IOLs did not show any functional disadvantage, but potentially protect the macula from AMD, blue light filter IOLs may be considered as a reasonable alternative to traditional IOLs, especially in eyes with a high risk for the development of macular degeneration.
Wohlfart
C
C
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Medizinische Universität Graz, Osterreich. christinawohlfart@gmx.at
Tschuschnig
K
K
Fellner
P
P
Weiss
K
K
Vidic
B
B
El-Shabrawi
Y
Y
Ardjomand
N
N
D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*