Special Contact Lenses Block UV Rays

The Wall Street Journal (5/31, D2, Johannes, Subscription Publication) reports in “Aches & Claims” that some manufacturers of contact lenses are currently marketing products claiming to block out up to 99% of ultraviolet rays, important for preventing pterigia and cataracts . Unlike UV-ray blocking sunglasses, the UV-blocking lenses offer protection to all of the eye’s internal structures. To date, only a few brands of these special lenses meet FDA standards required for “Class 1” protection, which means that the lenses block at least 90% of UV-A rays and 99% of UV-B rays. The Journal points out that the American Optometric Association has awarded a “seal of acceptance” for six products, all of which belong to the Acuvue line of lenses manufactured by Vistakon, a unit of Johnson & Johnson.