Abstract
Purpose: :
To examine the effect of short-wavelength intraocular lens (IOL) filters on cognitive and visual function in phakic and pseudophakic eyes.
Methods: :
Twenty-four phakic eyes of 24 subjects (mean age 26.8±6.0 years) and 22 eyes of 22 subjects fitted with a standard IOL (mean age 74.1±9.1 years) were assessed. Measurements of visual acuity (logMAR), contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson and CSV 1000-E), colour discrimination (Farnsworth-Munsell 100-Hue), reading speed (MNRead) and scotopic sensitivity (SST-1) were performed. In addition, the phakic cohort also performed a cognitive function test (two-alternative forced-choice paradigm) and short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP). Each phakic subject wore three tinted spectacle lenses in a randomised sequence; an additional short-wavelength filter was introduced for the pseudophakic group. Three of the four filters were matched to the transmission characteristics of the Alcon AcrySof Natural, Bausch & Lomb VioletShield and the AMO OptiBlue (pseudophakic only) violet-blocking IOLs. The control condition was a UV blocking filter.
Results: :
In the phakic cohort, mean defect scores for SWAP were found to be significantly higher with the AcrySof Natural tinted lens (-2.14 ± 1.85 dB) compared to the VioletShield (-1.34 ± 1.92 dB) and the control lens (-1.09 ± 1.65 db; p<0.01). Further, cognitive function was attenuated with the AcrySof Natural lens compared to the VioletShield, and the control lens (p<0.05). All other outcome measures were comparable between conditions. The different transmission characteristics of the filters, however, had no influence on the visual performance of the pseudophakic group.
Keywords: intraocular lens • cataract