[Phototoxicity of ultraviolet rays on crystalline lens and retina. Study of the optic transmission of implants with or without anti-UV treatment].

The authors have checked absorbing U.V. IOLs. The use of these IOLs seems to be necessary because of the retinal damage due to direct exposure to near U.V., after lens extraction. Since about ten years a growing body of works has shown phototoxicity on lens and retina by U.V. radiation between 392 and 400 nm. This radiation transmitted by the cornea is not absorbed during the first decade. Progressively, cumulative effects of near U.V. on the lens involve fluorescent chromophore formations, pigmentation, and interferes with synthesis of lens proteins, catalyse insoluble proteins. Finally, cataract are produced as well as experimentally with U.V. lasers. In aphakic eyes the risk of retinal damage increases dramatically. Consequently IOLs absorbing U.V. radiation could protect the retina. A spectrographic check of U.V transmittance by standard IOLs and U.V. absorbing IOLs has shown that the U.V. absorbing IOLs block all radiations below 400 nm.