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Color Blindness Glasses: Is Correction Possible?

Color Blindness Glasses: Is Correction Possible?

EnChroma's unique colorblind lens technology has entirely transformed red-green color blindness. To produce colorblind glasses that were scientifically proven to stimulate the brain's color processing center and improve color vision, EnChroma developed them almost two decades ago. Since then, we've continuously combined the most recent advancements in color perception neuroscience, optical dyes, lens material innovations, and manufacturing techniques.

What is Colour blindness?

The absence or malfunction of one or more retinal color-sensing cone photoreceptors is the root cause of hereditary color blindness. Cone photoreceptors that detect color come in three different varieties. Some of the light wavelengths the brain interprets as red or green color overlap in those with deuteranomaly, or difficulty detecting green or red light, or protanomaly.

There is no cure for inherited color blindness, commonly known as color vision deficit. However, those with milder red-green color blindness can rely on eyewear designed to correct color vision. These glasses can enhance the contrast between particular Colors in such a situation. The outcomes may differ depending on the type and severity of a person's color vision impairment. Colorblindness is a prevalent condition, particularly in men.

Although it can be acquired, color blindness is a condition that is inherited. A person may develop color blindness due to an eye injury or another vision-related illness. Age and specific drugs can also contribute to colorblindness.

Color blindness, often known as color vision deficiency, describes a variety of conditions in which a person cannot fully or partially distinguish between a given set of colors, including:

  • Yellow and orange
  • Green and brown
  • pink and gray
  • purple and blue
  • Red-green insufficiency, blue-yellow deficit, and full-color blindness are a few examples of color vision deficiencies.
What do colorblind lenses do?

Colorblind glasses are eyewear with specially tinted lenses that improve color perception in those with color vision deficiencies.

Colorblind glasses do not "cure" colorblindness, but they allow colorblind people to see the world more clearly and experience a broader range of colors while wearing them.

Colorblind glasses can also be used efficiently, such as assisting a colorblind person in selecting and matching the hues and patterns of their clothing (minimizing the likelihood of making strange color selections and mismatched hues). A person who is colorblind may have more job options if they wear colorblind glasses.

What is normal color vision?

Millions of photoreceptor cone cells that can ordinarily detect every color of the rainbow are activated when light enters the eye. Blue, green, and red cones are the three types of cone cells that transmit information to your brain and are sensitive to a distinctly visible spectrum region.

Types of colorblindness

Once again, it's uncommon for someone to be colorblind. Both red-green color blindness and blue-yellow color blindness are substantially more prevalent.

There are four categories of red-green color blindness:

  • Deuteranomaly: This type of color blindness affects the majority of people. Red hues look more intense with green.
  • Protanomaly: In this case, red seems duller and more greenish. 
  • Protanopia is the inability to discriminate between the colors red and green.
  • Deuteranopia: Similar to protanopia, deuteranopia affects the ability to distinguish between red and green.

Two varieties of blue-yellow color blindness exist:

  • Tritanomaly: Red, yellow, blue, and green have a similar appearance.
  • Tritanopia: Those with this condition have trouble distinguishing between blue and green, yellow and pink, or purple and red.
What are EnChroma glasses?

You cannot notice the richness or depth of some color tones if you have color blindness or poor color vision, and color blindness is the common name for it.

Although "color blindness" is widely used, it is uncommon to be ultimately color blind. You only see black, gray, and white objects throughout this time. People with weak color vision frequently struggle to distinguish between red and green.

In particular, color blindness is prevalent in men. According to the American Optometric Association, up to 8% of white males and 0% of white females are affected. Although it is a hereditary condition, it can develop if an accident or another illness that impairs vision damages the eyes. Some drugs and aging can also bring on color blindness.

EnChroma glasses allegedly make it easier to distinguish between different hues. Additionally, they assert that they enhance the colors' brilliance so that colorblind individuals can perceive all of their hues.

For nearly eight years now, EnChroma glasses have been available on the market. Several popular internet videos depict colorblind persons donning EnChroma glasses and experiencing full color for the first time.

Do EnChroma glasses work?

Understanding how color blindness develops in the first place can help you comprehend the science behind EnChroma glasses.

Three photopigments in the human eye are color-sensitive, and these photopigments are housed inside cone-shaped retinal receptors. Thanks to the cones, your eyes can determine an object's blue, red, or green content, and they then provide your brain with the colors of various items.

If deficient in a particular photopigment, you may have problems seeing a specific color. The most common type of color blindness is a red-green color deficiency. Depending on the strength of the red and green colors, you may find it difficult to tell them apart.

For usage by medical professionals during laser surgery procedures, EnChroma glasses were developed. They were initially produced as sunglasses with lenses coated in a unique substance accentuating the light's wavelengths, and colors appeared rich and saturated.

EnChroma glasses' creator realized that the coating on these lenses might also help those with weak color vision notice pigment changes that they were previously unable to notice.

According to a preliminary study, the glasses function, although only to some of the same degree.

Results from a short 2017 research of 10 adults with red-green color blindness showed that just two participants significantly improved their ability to differentiate colors when wearing EnChroma glasses.

The EnChroma corporation notes that its glasses are useless for anyone who is color blind. EnChroma glasses can only improve what you see if you can identify some colors.

More studies are required to determine the full scope of how EnChroma glasses can improve color vision. However, it appears that those with mild to severe color blindness benefit from them the most.

Glasses are not a permanent cure

It's important to note that colorblindness glasses are not a solution to the "Colour blindness" issue. The world will appear the same once you remove the glasses. There are many different reactions to this new technology. Some folks get an instantaneous, spectacular result, while others aren't too thrilled.

Before purchasing colorblindness glasses, consult your eye doctor. They can inspect your eyes and tell you if you require this treatment, and they can speak with you about the likelihood of having your type of color blindness. The best method to care for your eyes is to routinely examine them by an eye care specialist, who can determine the most effective course of action for your eye condition.

How may the world look when wearing EnChroma glasses?

Mild, moderate, or severe color blindness is possible. You might not even know it if you have poor color vision.

What can seem bright yellow to others may appear drab gray to you. But you would only be aware of a discrepancy if someone pointed it out.

Your ability to perceive color may limit your interaction with the outside world. When driving, you could find it difficult to tell where a red sign finishes and the sunset behind it starts. Determining whether the clothes you choose "match" or look good together might be challenging.

It often takes between 5 and 15 minutes after donning EnChroma glasses before you notice a difference in how you perceive color.

According to anecdotal evidence, some persons appear to have a dramatically different perception of the world. People who use EnChroma glasses occasionally experience firsthand the depth and nuance of their partner's or children's eyes.

Although hearing about these case studies is motivating, they are unique. In most situations, noticing a change requires wearing the glasses and "practicing" seeing new hues. Ask someone with good color vision to point out any vivid or unusual hues so you can practice recognizing them with your eyes.

Conclusion

Color blindness glasses, also known as corrective color glasses or EnChroma glasses, can enhance color perception for individuals with certain types of color blindness. These glasses work by selectively filtering specific wavelengths of light to improve color discrimination, particularly between red and green hues.

While color blindness glasses can improve color perception for individuals with color blindness, they do not provide a complete correction or cure for the condition. The effectiveness of these glasses can vary from person to person, and the degree of improvement may differ depending on the specific type and severity of color blindness.

Color blindness glasses should be viewed as assistive technology rather than a definitive solution. They can enhance color differentiation and allow individuals to experience a broader range of colors, but they do not provide normal color vision. Schedule an appointment with Casey Optical Too, the best optometrist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan to better understand the suitability and potential benefits of color blindness glasses for individual cases.

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