New Sunglasses with Certification of Retinal Safety: Analysis of Visual Function by Assessing Visual and Stereoscopic Acuity, Color Discrimination and Contrast Sensitivity

Abstract

<em><strong>Objective</strong><em> To compare the effect of the new sunglasses with certification of retinal safety (RSC) and the traditional sunglasses on visual function. <em><strong>Materials and methods</strong><em> Thirty-six (36) people were assessed (44 ± 14 years) by means of binocular assessment and the usual optical compensation. The sunglasses were characterized by means of the Humphrey spectrophotometer (Zeiss). The main difference between the new RSC sunglasses and traditional sunglasses is in the selective absorbance of short wavelengths, which reduces attenuation of the other bands to achieve a better sight and which maintains the protective effect. The visual function aspects assessed were logMAR visual acuity (VA), stereoacuity (SA), color perception and contrast sensitivity function (CSF). <em><strong>Results</strong><em> The logMAR VA and SA values with the RSC solar filter are similar to those obtained without the filter however, with the traditional sun filter, both variables decrease significantly. Color discrimination decreases with both filters, which is a far superior loss with the traditional filter (45 %) compared to the RSC filter (5%). <em><strong>Conclusions</strong><em> Due to the high level of light exposure, it is essential to protect the sight through solar optical filters for this purpose, lenses that provide comfort, good visibility and protection for ocular tissues are necessary. Accordingly, a new optical filter has been designed and developed, which improves visibility and comfort while maintaining sun protection, and at the same time optimizes VA, SA and CSF and maintains color perception.