Contrast Is Enhanced by Yellow Lenses Because of Selective Reduction of Short‐Wavelength Light

Purpose Although many studies have shown a subjective preference for yellow lenses, there has been little success in determining the clinical nature of this benefit. Method Contrast sensitivity, color vision, accommodative‐convergence, and visual acuity were measured in a group of 20 young subjects along with subjective rating of their perception through clear control lenses (380‐nm cut‐off), yellow lenses (450‐nm cut‐off), dark yellow lenses (511‐nm cut‐off), and orange lenses (527‐nm cut‐off). Results A systematic detriment to color vision was found to occur with increasing cut‐off wavelength of the yellow lenses (p < 0.001) and this was significantly correlated to subjective ratings of color (r = −0.66) and brightness (r = −0.34). Perceived brightness significantly improved for the yellow (450‐nm cut‐off) lens only (p < 0.001). Although tinted lenses reduced contrast sensitivity to a white on black grating, there was a significant improvement in low to midrange spatial frequencies when measured using a white‐on‐blue grating. Conclusions The detriment in color vision caused by yellow‐colored lenses enhances contrast when viewing bright objects against a blue‐based background, such as the sky. Contrast of overlying objects is enhanced is due to the selective reduction of short‐wavelength light by the yellow lenses.