Spectral radiance of blue light filters on ophthalmic lenses

Abstract

As a result of the recent improvement in light-emitting diode (LED) technology, the displays of the vast majority of electronic devices are now illuminated by LEDs. There are several advantages of this type of light source over its predecessors; however, recent research is giving support to the fact that prolonged exposition to the white LEDs emission in the blue spectrum may have a negative impact on visual health, as well as, on biological rhythms (circadian rhythms). As a consequence, ophthalmic lens manufacturers have recently introduced in the market innovative lenses that incorporate blue light filters, especially designed for electronic device users. In this work, the performance of different blue light filters present on commercially available ophthalmic lenses was tested and compared. Lenses were placed in front of a LED-based backlight tablet, in a similar way a common user would be reading a text on the electronic device. The absorption characteristics of the various samples from four different ophthalmic lens manufacturers were measured. Analysis of the different samples from the same manufacturer was conducted and blue light filters from different manufacturers were compared.