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Arch Ophthalmol. 2005;123:550-555.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Blue light–blocking intraocular lenses (IOLs) trade off rod-mediated visual function for limited protection against acute retinal phototoxicity.¹ Twenty-five years ago, I cautioned ophthalmologists and manufacturers that clear IOLs transmitted potentially harmful 330- to 400-nm UV radiation (UVR) to the retina.^2-3 Within a few years, most manufacturers incorporated UVR-blocking chromophores into IOLs.⁴ Eighteen years ago, I suggested blocking violet light in addition to UVR.⁴ Violet light has substantial potential retinal phototoxicity but little effect on scotopic (nighttime) or photopic (daytime) vision.^5-7 Nonetheless, visible light–blocking IOLs have been introduced only recently in the United States.

The term blue is often used for the broad range of optical radiation between 400 and 500 nm. There are significant differences in retinal phototoxicity and scotopic luminous efficiency between shorter- and longer-wavelength "blue" light, so it is valuable to use the terms violet for shorter-wavelength, 400- to 440-nm light and blue for longer-wavelength, 440- to 500-nm . . . [Full Text of this Article]

RETINAL PHOTOTOXICITY


RETINAL AGING AND LIGHT EXPOSURE

AGING AND SCOTOPIC VISION

BLOCK VIOLET, NOT BLUE LIGHT

CONCLUSION

SUMMARY

AUTHOR INFORMATION
Martin A. Mainster, PhD, MD, FRCOphth
Author Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City.

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