UV-blocking CLs cut acute exposure risk

UV-blocking contact lenses can reduce or eliminate the effects of harmful radiation, according to a study reported in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

The study exposed rabbits daily to the equivalent of about 16 hours of sunlight in humans, enough to induce UV-associated corneal changes. Those that wore the UV-absorbing (Senofilcon A) contact lenses were not affected by the exposure.

Researchers point out that by 2050, there will be a large increase in the incidence of cataract.

Vision researcher Heather Chandler, from Ohio State University's College of Optometry said that as the study focused exclusively on acute UV exposure, further long-term studies were needed to determine the efficacy of wearing the UV-absorbing CLs over a longer time period.