Blue-Blocking IOLs in Combined Surgery

Blue Light-Filter IOLs in Vitrectomy Combined With Cataract Surgery: Results of a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Although commonly used in cataract surgery, the use of the blue light-filter IOLs in vitrectomy combined with cataract surgery has not been reported yet. A prospective controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effect of the blue light-filter IOL on the surgeon's ability to perform specific vitreoretinal procedures and on the patients' outcome.

Sixty patients were randomly assigned to receive a UV-filter IOL (transparent IOL group) or a blue light-filter IOL (yellow IOL group) combined with a vitreoretinal procedure.

Outcome measures were intraoperative conditions for the surgeon, complication rates, the functional outcome and vitreoretinal diagnoses.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis vitreoretinal pathology (diabetic vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, epiretinal membrane or persisting macula edema)
• Coexisting significant cataract
• The need for combined surgery ( pars plana vitrectomy, phacoemulsification and IOL implantation)
• Age over 50 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pseudophakia on the non-study eye
• The need for silicone oil tamponade
• Optic atrophy.