Violet light-filtering IOLs yield visual and nonvisual benefits

Violet light filtering (VLF) provides good protection against subjective symptoms and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation while retaining significant scotopic vision and melanopsin function, according to a presentation at AAO 2020 Virtual.

Chromophores in IOLs can filter high-energy light. Recent evidence suggests that selective VLF and blue light transmission can provide an optimal balance. For this study, the researchers compared outcomes from a clinical study of 240 patients implanted with either VLF or colorless IOLs at 12 US sites. Scotopic vision performance, protection against ROS formation, and melanopsin function were simulated from absorption spectra obtained from the published literature.

Results demonstrated that compared to colorless IOLs, patients with VLF IOLs had less difficulty when driving at night (53% vs 44%). Compared to blue light filtration, VLF retained 91% vs 69% of scotopic vision and retained 75% vs 53% of melanopsin function, and both prevented 88% of ROS formation. Unlike blue light filtration, where some light below 420 nm is still transmitted, violet light filtration prevents the transmission of all hazardous short wavelength light, while retaining important higher wavelength light, the researchers noted.

Reference
Chang DH. Violet light-filtering IOLs: visual and nonvisual benefits. Presented at: AAO 2020 Virtual. [Session: PO027].