The Specificity of Colored Lenses as Visual Aids in Retinal Disease

Abstract

This study of the effects of lenses of different colors on the visual abilities and comfort of 20 patients with retinal disease found that in home trials, orange, yellow, and light neutral-density lenses were generally helpful, but the critical issue was density more than color. Office tests of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with colored lenses did not predict subjective benefit. The results suggest that no specific color is uniquely effective and that home trial of several lenses may be the best way to judge which filter (if any) will help an individual patient.