Evaluation of the impact of blue light blocking 
filters on visual quality after PRK surgery

Rahmani, Saeed; Shafiee, Aliakbar; Riazi , Abbas; Akbarzadeh Baghban , Alireza; Jafari , Alireza; Dashti, Maryam

Volume 82, Issue 6 (September 2024) Tehran Univ Med J 2024, 82(6): 459-465 | Back to browse issues page

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Rahmani S, Shafiee A, Riazi A, Akbarzadeh Baghban A, Jafari A, Dashti M. Evaluation of the impact of blue light blocking filters on visual quality after PRK surgery. Tehran Univ Med J 2024; 82 (6) :459-465
URL: http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-13181-en.html

Evaluation of the impact of blue light blocking filters on visual quality after PRK surgery

Saeed Rahmani¹

, Aliakbar Shafiee ^*

², Abbas Riazi¹

, Alireza Akbarzadeh Baghban

, Alireza Jafari¹

, Maryam Dashti¹

1- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Optometry, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. , aashafiee@sbmu.ac.ir

Abstract: (19 Views)

Background: Problems related to blue light exposure are among the various issues experienced by individuals who have undergone Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).Given the growing concerns regarding blue light’s effects on visual health, this study aimed to thoroughly investigate the impacts of blue blocker filters on the improvement of vision in patients post-refractive surgery of the PRK type. The primary objective was to evaluate the overall effectiveness of these filters in enhancing visual quality and in reducing complications associated with the surgery, which can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life.
Methods: In a quasi-experimental study conducted from September 1, 2024, to the end of October 2024, individuals who had undergone PRK surgery were examined at the optometry clinic of Dr. Labbafi Nejad Hospital in Tehran. Participants were subjected to assessments both with and without the application of blue blocker filters. Key parameters, including visual acuity and contrast sensitivity among attendees, were meticulously measured under both conditions. The results were then systematically compared and analyzed to draw meaningful conclusions about the impact of blue blocker filters in this context.

Results: A total of thirty-four participants, comprising 73.5% females and 26.5% males, with an average age of 32.6 years, were incorporated into the study. Post-surgery, the average refraction measured in the right and left eyes was documented as -0.42±0.16 D and -0.30±0.16 D, respectively. Notably, visual acuity in both eyes significantly improved with the use of the blue light blocking filter (P<0.005) Moreover, contrast sensitivity at varying spatial frequencies of 1.5, 6, and 18 cycles per degree (c/d) also exhibited significant enhancement (P<0.005).
Conclusion: The incorporation of blue blocker filters for individuals with a history of PRK surgery has led to noteworthy improvements in visual acuity and enhanced contrast sensitivity. These findings underscore the critical importance of integrating blue light protection in the post-operative care of patients, as it significantly elevates the overall visual experience and may contribute to better long-term outcomes following refractive surgery.

Keywords: blue light blocking filters, cornea, refractive surgery (PRK).

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Type of Study: Original Article |