The spectra, classification, and rationale of ultraviolet-protective intraocular lenses.

I measured the spectral transmittance of 16 implantable intraocular lenses from 12 manufacturers and examined the rationale for using ultraviolet-absorptive intraocular lenses to protect pseudophakic individuals from photic retinopathy. Each ultraviolet-protective lens was classified by the wavelength at which its spectral transmittance fell to 10% in the blue or ultraviolet region of the spectrum. Current ultraviolet-protective intraocular lenses differ in the effectiveness of their protection against photic retinopathy, and product descriptions may be misleading.