Clinical impact of nanophotonic blue-light filtering spectacles based on fullerene C60 and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

Mirko R. Jankov; Vesna Jakšić; Djuro Koruga

doi:10.2298/VSP190522082J

Mirko R. Jankov LaserFocus Centre for Eye Microsurgery, Belgrade, Serbia
Vesna Jakšić University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, U niversity E ye Clinic Zvezdara, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia
Djuro Koruga University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, NanoLab, Belgrade, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP190522082J

Keywords: spectacles, filter, colours, field of view

Abstract

Background/Aim. Blue light might be harmful to the retina. The nano-material based on fullerene C₆₀ and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) transforms the light into harmonized light and absorbs violet, blue, and ultraviolet (UV) wavelength. The aim of the study was to evaluate the subjective and objective impact of the spectacles on daily activities. Methods. Twenty-five healthy participants were submitted to contrast sensitivity (CS) and visual field (VF) testing and a questionnaire about the influence of spectacles on daily activities: two spectacles with different concentrations of fullerene C₆₀ vs. two commercially available blue-blocking spectacles. Results. There was no statistical difference in CS (p = 0.83), in VF parameters: mean deviation (MD) (p = 0.36), pattern standard deviation (PSD) (p = 0.25), number of relative scotomas (p = 0.31), while the number of absolute scotomas showed a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05). Spectacles B (with a lower concentration of fullerene – 0.025%) had the best overall comfort mean score (p < 0.00001): four-fifths of participants performed better only during the day, while two-thirds performed better both during the day and night. Spectacles B were also superior in overall satisfaction regarding all combined daily activities (4.04 ± 1.1) (p = 0.0008). Conclusion. Blue-blocking filters with fullerene C₆₀ increase the overall comfort of daily tasks during and after their use. These filters might be an effective mechanism that can protect us from ocular pathologies while providing better comfort in daily activities.

References

Atchinson D, Smith G. Optics of the Human Eye. Edinburgh, United Kingdom: Butterworth - Heinemann; 2003.

Wenzel A, Grimm C, Marti A, Kueng-Hitz N, Hafezi F, Niemeyer G, et al. c-fos controls the "private pathway" of light-induced apoptosis of retinal photoreceptors. J Neurosci 2000; 20(1): 81‒8.

Tosini G, Ferguson I, Tsubota K. Effects of blue light on the cir-cadian system and eye physiology. Mol Vis 2016; 22: 61‒72.

Boulton M, Rózanowska M, Rózanowski B. Retinal photodamage. J Photochem Photobiol B 2001; 64(2‒3): 144‒61.

Vicente-Tejedor J, Marchena M, Ramírez L, García-Ayuso D, Gómez-Vicente V, Sánchez-Ramos C, et al. Removal of the blue component of light significantly decreases retinal damage after high intensity exposure. PLoS One 2018; 13(3): e0194218.

Roberts JE. Ocular phototoxicity. J Photochem Photobiol B 2001; 64: 136–43.

Leung TW, Li RW, Kee CS. Blue-Light Filtering Spectacle Lenses: Optical and Clinical Performances. PLoS One 2017; 12(1): e0169114.

Debeljković AD, Matija LR, Koruga DJ. Characterization of nanophotonic soft contact lenses based on poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) and fullerene. Hem Ind 2013; 67(6): 861–70. (Serbian)

Koruga DJ. Optical filter and method of manufacturing an op-tical filter, Int. Pat App. PCT/EP2016/063174, 2016, Int Pub Number WO 2017/211420 A1. Available from: https://patentscope.wipo.int › search › detail › docId=...

Koruga, DJ. Hyperpolarized Light: Fundamentals of NanoBi-omedical Photonics. Belgrade: Zepter Book World; 2018.

Koruga D, Mileusnić I, Matija L, Jankov M, Filipović B, Delić J, Nešković A. The Application of Nano-Photonic devices in Medicine. XLIX International Scientific and Practical Confer-ence on Application of Lasers in Medicine and Biology; 2018 October 3‒7; Hungary, Hajduszoboszlo: 2018. p. 212‒7.

Spalton DJ. Hitchings RA, Hunter P. Methods of Ocular ex-amintion. In: Spalton DJ. Hitchings RA, Hunter P. Spalton DJ, editors. Atlas of Clinical Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 1996. p. 1.

Pelli DG, Robson JG, Wilkins AJ, The design of a new letter chart for measuring contrast sensitivity. Clin Vision Sci 1988; 2(3): 187‒99.

Hammond BR. Attenuating Photostress and Glare Disability in Pseudophakic Patients through the Addition of a Short-Wave Absorbing Filter. J Ophthalmol 2015; 2015607635.

Cuthbertson FM, Peirson SN, Wulff K, Foster RG, Downes SM. Blue light-filtering intraocular lenses: review of potential ben-efits and side effects. J Cataract Refract Surg 2009; 35(7): 1281–97.

Fletcher AE, Bentham GC, Agnew M, Young IS, Augood C, Chakravarthy U, et al. Sunlight exposure, antioxidants, and age-related macular degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol 2008; 126(10): 1396–403.

Tomany SC, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein R, Klein BE, Knudtson MD. Sunlight and the 10-year incidence of age-related maculopa-thy: the Beaver Dam Eye Study. Arch Ophthalmol 2004; 122(5): 750–7.

Renard G, Leid J. The dangers of blue light: True story! J Fr Ophtalmol 2016; 39(5): 483‒8. (French)

O’Hagan JB, Khazova M, Price LL. Low-energy light bulbs, computers, tablets and the blue light hazard. Eye 2016; 30(2): 230–3.