Effect of Blue Light Filtering Intraocular Lenses on Visual Perception

Abstract

Background and Objectives: This retrospective consecutive case control study compares best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mesopic contrast sensitivity (CS), color vision, and glare between a group of eyes with blue-light-filtering intraocular lenses and another with UV-light-filtering intraocular lenses. Materials and Methods: We used Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts to compare BCVA, Rabin charts for mesopic CS testing, Oculus HMC Anomaloscope MR to test for chromatic discrimination, and Oculus Mesotest II to measure scotopic CS with glare. For analysis, we used descriptive statistics and compared means with parametric and non-parametric tests. The level of significance was set as α = 0.05. Results: For the group with the blue-light-filtering intraocular lens, the average results were BCVA = 0.96 (SD ± 0.09), CS = 1.78 log (SD ± 0.12), chromatic discrimination results M = 63.91 (SD ± 11.88), R = 60.07 (SD ± 7.89). For mesopic CS with glare, the group achieved on average 2.54 (SD ± 1.50) points out of 4. For the group with the UV-light-filtering intraocular lens, the average results were BCVA = 0.93 (SD ± 0.14), CS = 1.79 log (SD ± 0.13), chromatic discrimination results M = 65.38 (SD ± 17.14), R = 60.79 (SD ± 10.39). For mesopic CS with glare, this group achieved an average of 2.79 (SD ± 1.53) points out of 4. Conclusion: No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in any of the tested parameters between the analyzed groups. Slight shift in color vision was observed, although not statistically significant.

A review of the current state of research on artificial blue light safety as it applies to digital devices

“…Evidence from blue-light-filtering research suggests that blue light does not contribute significantly to visual acuity or contrast sensitivity [ 43 , 52 ]. A meta-analysis comparing blue-blocking intraocular lenses to non-blue-blocking intraocular lenses found no clinically meaningful impact of filtering blue light on contrast sensitivity or best-corrected visual acuity [ 52 , 96 ]. Spectacles that filter blue light have similarly been found not to affect contrast sensitivity [ 43 ]; however, there is some evidence that the influence of filtering blue light on contrast sensitivity might depend on an individual's initial contrast sensitivity [ 97 ].…”

The Long-Term Effect of Blue-Light Blocking Spectacle Lenses on Adults’ Contrast Perception

“…Previous studies on the effect of blue light filtering lenses on visual perception in adults have mainly focused on IOL or yellow filters. For example, Popov et al (2021) and Hammond et al (2019) both found that blue-light filtering IOLs did not have a clear influence on contrast sensitivity in elderly individuals. Lavric and Pompe (2014) also reported that blue-light filtering IOL did not affect the long-term contrast sensitivity of older observers for up to a year.…”

Blue Light Filtration in Intraocular Lenses: Effects on Visual Function and Systemic Health

“… 9 However, a consecutive case-control study in 60 patients who received BLF or UV-only IOLs found no significant differences in CDVA or scotopic contrast sensitivity with or without glare. 10 An intraindividual comparison in 47 patients found no significant differences in uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, or contrast vision in eyes with BLF versus UV-only IOLs at 11 to 13 months after surgery. 11 A similar conclusion was reached in a 5-year longitudinal study that reported no significant differences for contrast sensitivity under photopic or scotopic conditions with BLF versus UV-only IOLs.…”

“…There was an anticipated shift in chromatic discrimination in the blue part of the spectrum in patients with BLF IOLs; however, no significant differences were observed for blue light discrimination for BLF versus UV-only IOLs, although a slight shift was observed toward green and yellow. 10 …”

“…There was an anticipated shift in chromatic discrimination in the blue part of the spectrum in patients with BLF IOLs; however, no significant differences were observed for blue light discrimination for BLF versus UV-only IOLs, although a slight shift was observed toward green and yellow. 10 To better assess color appearance in patients with BLF IOLs, a recent study used the achromatic (white point) method. This method is based on patient response to the appearance of light; the white point is achieved when the chromatic systems are balanced.…”