Effects of tinted intraocular lens on contrast sensitivity

Abstract We evaluated contrast sensitivity and glare in 64 pseudophakic eyes. An ultraviolet-absorbing intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted in 32 eyes and a noncyanopsia yellow-tinted IOL was implanted in 32 eyes. The latter lens was designed to effectively absorb light below a wavelength of 500nm. Contrast sensitivity was measured at a pupil diameter of 3 mm using an artificial pupil. The implanted yellow-tinted IOL showed improved contrast sensitivity in the middle spatial frequencies of 6 and 12c/deg in photopic and mesopic vision. In addition, the yellow-tinted IOL decreased the effect of central glare on the contrast sensitivity.