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adaminc t1_j2exfz1 wrote

Reply to comment by No_Stretch_3899 in Do cats and dogs see things under blacklight the same as we do? by Rowsdower32

The human retina can actually see UV light, but the lens blocks most of it. If you get cataract surgery, and get an artificial lens implanted, it's possible that you start seeing that UV light, it appears as white though.

It's also dangerous, and you'll need to wear sunglasses outdoors for the rest of your life, during the daytime.

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boissondevin t1_j2f319o wrote

Would it be possible to apply a UV absorbing coating to the artificial lenses, or would that mess with the optics and/or durability?

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adaminc t1_j2f3n7e wrote

There doesn't need to be a coating, you can get artificial lenses that don't allow UV light through.

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MicrotracS3500 t1_j2ffaqu wrote

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02172758

Based on this link, UV absorbing intraocular lenses have been around since the ‘80s, but not all of them are very effective, and they’re not universally used. Based on a little reading, it’s unclear what makes it difficult, but my guess is that it’s hard to exclusively block UV light without affecting the tint and clarity of the lens.

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boissondevin t1_j2ffepk wrote

I imagine many UV absorbing compounds also degrade from the absorption.

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MicrotracS3500 t1_j2fgjdy wrote

Very true as well, that’s a big reason why our natural lenses degrade over time.

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