Yellow Intraocular Lenses – To Block or Not to Block

Yellow filters for the eye have been of interest to ophthalmologists and optometrists for the last 30 years. Certain fish species can change the colour of the cornea in response to the level of illumination and regulate the amount of short-wavelength light reaching the retina. A positive influence of yellow eye filters on reduction of chromatic aberration has been found in a fish eye model. Blue-light-filter (yellow) intraocular lenses (IOLs) were introduced for cataract surgery almost 20 years ago. The main advantage of yellow IOLs is thought to be the reduction of chromatic aberration under photopic conditions and protection of the retina from phototoxic short-wavelength light, especially in eyes at risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This article highlights the importance of yellow IOLs for cataract surgery in terms of quality of vision and AMD protection.