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Optics, physics point to blue light as disease culprit, surgeon says

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COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil — Blue light, yellow lenses, optics and physics are rapidly changing how physicians approach cataract treatment, said Virgilio Centurión, MD, here during the Brazilian Conference on Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

As recently as 6 months ago, the effects of blue light on the eye were not considered a cause for concern, said Dr. Centurión, nor was the possibility of its damaging the retina. Now, he said, concepts of optics and physics, physiology and pathophysiology are suggesting that the same mechanism that results in cataractous changes in the lens may be at work in age-related macular degeneration.

“It is important to think of cataract as related to age-related macular degeneration,” said Dr. Centurión. “We know that both cataract and AMD are related to aging, and there are indications that invisible light is also somehow related to both pathologies.”

Studies investigating the oxidative effects of blue light on the retina date as far back as 1974, Dr. Centurión said. Blue light negatively affects lipofuscin, allowing faster cell death.

“That is one of the mechanisms that promote the beginning of macular degeneration,” Dr. Centurión said. As a person ages, the level of lipofuscin in the eye increases.

The AcrySof Natural (Alcon) IOL contains a yellow tint that mimics the effect of lipofuscin in the human retina, Dr. Centurión said.

The AcrySof Natural is similar to the standard AcrySof design, made of a biocompatible hydrophobic acrylic material. Its one-piece design provides good centration, stability and refraction, Dr. Centurión said.

Dr. Centurión is taking part in a Brazilian study in which 200 eyes will be implanted with the AcrySof Natural IOL. So far, all patients have achieved 20/40 vision or better with no side effects, he said. There has been no alteration in contrast sensitivity.

“Our patients demand better quality of life nowadays, and this lens presents a great opportunity to offer our patients more protection,” says Dr. Centurión. “Every effort should be made to treat the cataract and avoid an eventual AMD.”