Cataracts

[Guest]

I have an elderly artist friend with severe cataracts. She won't get surgery because her near vision is excellent. However, she can no longer paint because the color green is now blue, etc. Could you please send me information about specialized, tinted glasses that could correct her color vision, and allow her to paint once again? Also, who in the Seattle area might be qualified in this area?

Many thanks!

[Guest]

As the lens ages, it absorbs wavelengths in the low and middle ranges, this is blue primarily. No blue wavelengths are reaching the retina. So in order for that person to "match" a blue color, they must add blue pigment. It's been said that as Monet aged, his paintings became more blue - probably due to cataract formation. As your friend is seeing well up close, she has chosen not the have surgery. Being an artist however, she may want to reconsider as her color vivsion will be restored to normal. As far as a tint goes, she could try wearing a blue tinted lens. This will filter out the yellow wavelengths and add more blue to her perception.
[quote] I have an elderly artist friend with severe cataracts. She won't get surgery because her near vision is excellent... [/quote]