Intraocular Lenses Should Block UV Radiation and Violet but Not Blue Light

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.