Macular degeneration destroys the colour detecting cones while sparing
the non colour detecting rods. So yes, it affects colour vision

Liz: here is a brand new review (summary of many papers) on blue
blocking IOLs that should put your concerns about colour to rest:

Surv Ophthalmol. 2009 Oct 27. [Epub ahead of print]

Blue-Blocking IOLs: A Complete Review of the Literature.
Henderson BA, Grimes KJ.

Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, and Harvard Medical School, Boston,
Massachusetts, USA.

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) that block both ultraviolet and blue
wavelength light (<500 nm) were introduced in the 1990s. Since then,
the potential benefits and harm from blocking blue light has been
debated. We report the results of a complete review of all peer-
reviewed published studies regarding the impact of blocking the
transmission of blue light. Fifty-six published reports on subjects
related to blue-blocking lenses including sleep disturbance, visual
outcomes, cataract surgery, lens transmittance, sunlight exposure, and
macular disease were found in peer reviewed journals from 1962 to
2009. Eleven reports specifically compared visual outcomes between
blue-blocking IOLs and non-blue-locking IOLs. Of these, 10 independent
studies (10/11, 91%) concluded that there are no significant effects
of blue-blocking IOLs on various meters of visual performance
including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, color perception, and
photopic, mesopic, and scotopic sensitivities. Only one group of
authors reported that the use of blue-blocking IOLs may have
detrimental effects on scotopic vision and circadian rhythms. However,
the actual clinical significance of these potential negative effects
on scotopic vision and on sleep patterns is uncertain. The benefits of
blocking the transmission of blue light to the macula and the
relationship between progression of age-related macular degeneration
remain unclear. However, the published studies clearly state that the
use of blue-blocking IOLs is not detrimental in visual acuity, color
perception, and contrast sensitivity. The reported potential negative
effects on scotopic vision and sleep disturbance appear to be minimal
and may not be clinically relevant.

PMID: 19875141 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Judy