Colorimetric comparison of light-filtering intraocular lenses and human crystalline lenses at various ages

PURPOSE: To perform colorimetric characterization of 2 blue light-filtering intraocular lens (IOL) models and an IOL that filters ultraviolet-violet (UV-v) light and compare the charactizations with those of a standard UV light-filtering IOL and the human crystalline lens at various ages. SETTING: Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, and National Institute of Applied Optics, CNR, Florence, Italy. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Three IOLs of each model with different dioptric powers (16.0, 21.0, and 26.0 diopters) were analyzed. The colorimetric coordinates of the IOLs were calculated by measuring their transmission spectra using a microspectroscopy technique. Subsequently, a parameter (Delta E) that was proportional to the perceived color differences was defined. The results of the IOLs and of the human crystalline lens at different ages (4, 22, 41, 53, and 72 years; values taken from the literature) were compared. The colorimetric analysis was performed using Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage standards. RESULTS: The maximum Delta E value was with the standard UV light-filtering IOL at any crystalline lens age and was greatest with a 72-year-old human lens. The minimum Delta E value was obtained for both blue light-filtering IOLs with middle-aged human lenses. CONCLUSIONS: None of the analyzed IOLs had the same colorimetric performance of the human crystalline lens. The 2 blue light-filtering IOLs best reproduced yellowing of the human lens at 40 to 50 years of age.