Comparison of the Ultraviolet Light Filtering across Different Intraocular Lenses

Abstract

SIGNIFICANCE We have analyzed the ultraviolet transmittance of some commercial intraocular lenses (IOLs). The results show differences of wavelength cutoff among them. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the ultraviolet light transmittance of different IOLs made out of acrylic hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and hydrophilic with hydrophobic surface materials from different manufacturers. METHODS The spectral transmission curves of eight monofocal IOLs with the same dioptric power of +20.0 diopters were measured using a PerkinElmer Lambda 35 ultraviolet/visible spectrometer. Two IOLs of each type were tested three times. The ultraviolet cutoff wavelength at 10% transmission and the mean values were calculated. RESULTS All lenses prevented transmission of ultraviolet C (200 to 280 nm) and B radiation (280 to 315 nm). However, not all IOLs provided the same filtering properties in ultraviolet A (315 to 380 nm). Within the ultraviolet A range, the ultraviolet radiation cutoff wavelength of 10% ranges from approximately 360 to 400 nm. HOYA iSert 250 provided a cutoff wavelength of 398.4 nm; AcrySof SA60AT, 396.2 nm; AcrySof SA60WF, 395.7 nm; CT Asphina 404, 378.34 nm; Tecnis ZCB00, 377.70 nm; CT Lucia 601P, 379 nm; C-Flex 570C, 377 nm; and enVista MX60, 360 nm. CONCLUSIONS Intraocular lenses of different materials and manufacturers have different ultraviolet transmission characteristics. AcrySof (SA60AT and SA60WF) and HOYA iSert 250 provided the highest ultraviolet radiation transmission; the cutoff wavelength of 10% is close to 400 nm. In contrast, enVista IOL showed the lowest ultraviolet radiation cutoff.

Transmittance characteristics of transparent hydrophobic acrylic foldable intraocular lenses that were in vivo for a prolonged period of time: A UV visible spectrophotometric study

“…[ 3 ] Moreover, vision is dependent on total light transmittance[ 14 ] and luminous transmittance weighted by energy dispersion of standard illuminant and spectral variability function of the average human eye. [ 18 ] The light transmittance in various reports across IOLs of different materials and its optical status showed wide variations, which ranged from 44 to 100%[ 2 3 12 13 14 18 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 ] The transmittance across the IOLs with a filter was always less in comparison to the corresponding control[ 18 22 26 ] except for one study where the author found 100% transmittance in yellow IOLs. [ 30 ] The transmittance across the explanted, cadaver, or eye bank eye IOLs was 4-16.3% less in comparison with the corresponding fresh control.…”

“…Some authors found considerable transmittance of UV light across the IOLs. [ 28 32 ] It was particularly observed that all cadaveric eyes were formalin treated and explanted IOLs were opacified, and these factors might have influenced the spectrophotometric findings. Comparison of transmittance between the crystalline lens and IOLs with yellow pigment showed variability.…”

“…In another recent investigation, 90% transmittance of visible light at 400–700 nm and transmittance of UV light was reported in IOLs, which had never been used. [ 32 ] So, it appears that even a UV-blocking IOL cannot block 100% UV radiation to the eye.…”

Prevention of the Onset of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…The introduction of blue light-filtering (BLF) intraocular lenses (IOLs) has allowed to have an intraocular lens able to filter short-wave light and to selectively decrease the transmission of UV radiation. It has been observed that IOLs not capable to absorb UV radiation might lead to significant retinal damage and, thus, facilitate AMD onset [ 80 ]. The addition of short-wave light filtering differentiates BLF-IOLs from other lenses because the presence of this filter makes them more structurally similar to the normal crystalline lens [ 81 ].…”

<p>The Effects of Blue Light–Filtering Intraocular Lenses on the Protection and Function of the Visual System</p>

“…Most of UV radiation is blocked by the native lens (UV-B, 280–315 nm and UV-A, 315–400 nm) or absorbed by the cornea (<295 nm) 2. However, recent data indicate that clinically significant amounts of UV-B radiation reach the retina of individuals until about the age of 30 years;11 IOLs without significant UV absorbance could quickly lead to significant retinal damage 12. BLF IOLs were different than typical UV-filtering IOLs because of the addition of short-wave light filtering to their absorbance profile.…”