Lens Implant Color Problems

Question: I noticed in my eye that had cataract surgery and a lens implant I can not see some purple lights that I can see with my non-operative eye. Is it well known that the IOL filters some wavelengths of light that are normally visible? Or is something else potentially going on?

Answer: Color perception distortions and problems have been reported with certain types of Lens Implants. While this is anecdotal, UV absorbing or "blue blocking" Lens Implants (IOL) do sometimes cause patients to experience a color perception shift when they are in one eye only. The UV blocking feature is potentially useful to have however in that it offers protection for wavelengths that are cause damage to the Retina-especially the Macula-and are thus thought to be protective against Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) in Cataract Surgery patients.

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