Color blindness is a rare visual pathology in which a person is unable to distinguish certain colors of the spectrum. This is usually a congenital disease, but in some cases it can be acquired. To improve color perception in case of color blindness, glasses with special filters have been developed. We will tell you in the article about the principle of their operation.
Color blindness is caused by a deficiency or complete absence of cones. These are photoreceptors that are located in the central part of the retina called the macula. They provide a person with full color perception.
Types of color blindness
All people with normal color perception are trichromats, that is, they are able to distinguish the three main colors of the spectrum: red, blue, green and their mixed shades. With impaired trichromatic vision, this pathology manifests itself in several forms:
- Monochromacy is an anomaly that has two types. With rod monochromasia, the patient perceives everything in gray, while with cone monochromasia, the patient perceives everything in one color other than gray. As a rule, this form of the disease is accompanied by photophobia and nystagmus.
- Dichromasia is a type of color blindness characterized by a difference in only two spectral colors. It is also divided into subspecies:
- Tritanopia is the inability to distinguish between shades of blue and violet. Occurs least often. As a rule, tritanopia is accompanied by poor twilight vision;
- Deuteranopia is the inability to distinguish between shades of green. Pathology is diagnosed in only 1% of patients with color blindness;
- Protanopia is an incorrect perception of the colors of the red spectrum.
Color blindness, unfortunately, is incurable. If it is present, there are restrictions for work in certain areas: you cannot engage in driving, military service, it is difficult to become a stylist or photographer. To determine the correctness of perception, you need to undergo special tests that will show whether color vision is normal. However, not so long ago the first means of correction were developed for patients with color blindness, and this happened completely by accident.
Consumer Reviews
Nadezhda: Although they say that color blindness is a problem for men, I had to face it. Against the backdrop of previous illnesses, it manifested itself in me in adulthood. At first I didn’t believe in the power of lenses, and everyone tried to dissuade me from wasting my money, because the amount was not small, I took a risk and bought it. And I never regretted it. Now, I distinguish between green and red. And albeit not as bright as with normal vision. But it's better than nothing.
Ivan: In the family, men suffered from such a pathology. Since the disease is genetic, we have already resigned ourselves and did not look for a solution. But I couldn’t resist, I bought myself glasses. The world began to sparkle with colors, because red and green were gray for me. Now I ordered these glasses for my father, so that he can see what was incomprehensible to him before.
Development of glasses to correct dichromasia
Scientific research in this area has long been aimed at working with the genetic factor. But even though genetic engineers have made significant progress in this area, an effective solution has not yet been found. But corrective glasses for color blindness were invented almost by accident during the development of protective optics for laser operations in the early 2000s. The polymer from which the lenses were made was given the properties of cutting off part of the waves of the visible spectrum. When one of the developers, suffering from color blindness, put on a prototype, he was surprised to find that after a while the world around him suddenly began to look much brighter. Scientists became interested in this unexpected phenomenon and began calculating the parameters of lenses that improve color perception in colorblind people.
If a person with normal vision puts on glasses for color blindness, he will not feel any difference from sunglasses. However, these optical products still have a significant drawback: they are configured exclusively for daylight. That is, when working at a computer or watching a movie on any screen, color blindness glasses will not help correct colors. Currently, work is underway that can eliminate the problem, but scientists are inclined to believe that in order to view images on screens, you will need separate glasses or special programs that correct the image in accordance with the characteristics of perception. In general, there are no contraindications to wearing glasses for colorblind people.
Price
It is advisable to order optics individually. The creation of these products includes several stages:
- Computer diagnostics are performed to help determine deviations.
- Based on the data, lens parameters are calculated.
- Their production is carried out layer by layer, according to all parameters.
If the lenses are created individually, the perception of colors can be restored. But to obtain a quality product, you need to contact the manufacturer, and for this you need to visit the USA. The optics cost $350.
The cost also depends on the company. The manufacturer EnChroma sells products for 27-36 thousand rubles. And optics from Oxy-Amp costs approximately 18,000 rubles.
Products can also be ordered online. In this case, the quality of perception is determined by the correctness of the examination. Budget options can improve color recognition, but not much.
How do glasses work against color blindness?
At the moment, there are only two types of glasses for color blindness in the world. The first and most famous model is EnChroma, made in the USA, a unique product of its kind. How do they work?
Glasses will not help in case of monochromasia. They are able to correct color perception only with deuteranopia (inability to distinguish shades of the green spectrum) and protanopia (impaired perception of red). The most effective glasses are for people with mild to moderate deuteranomaly. The operating principle of this optical device is quite simple: it is a special multilayer filter that is applied to the lenses. It cuts off part of the light spectrum entering the eyes. At the same time, the filter transmits the main base colors, enhancing the contrast between them, making them deeper and more saturated. And the filter blocks shades that a colorblind person cannot distinguish, thereby facilitating recognition. Colorblindness correction glasses only work in natural light or close to it. They require a full spectrum light source. In each individual case, the lens is assembled from specified layers that can correct a specific type of disorder.
The EnChroma coating is quite durable and resistant to mechanical damage. Glasses can also act as sunglasses. Consumers who have already used this model note not only the quality of the correction, but also its good technical properties. Glasses require getting used to, and this process is individual in each case. Instant results are not available to everyone: for the eyes to “rebuild” and adapt to vision through lenses, you need to wait from 15 minutes to one and a half to two hours. The commercial that instantly spread all over the Internet, in which a color-blind man puts on EnChroma glasses for the first time and immediately sees the world in bright colors, is just a publicity stunt, albeit a very touching one.
Lens overview
It is worth saying that the most famous lenses are Ningaloo Colorblinds. They were developed over 10 years. More than 20 people agreed to help with this and experience the effects of such a device. Here is the result - they were able to pass the Ishihara test, which is used to determine disorders of the red and green color spectrum.
The line includes a couple of types of lenses, thanks to which you can correct color blindness. When using them, the patient can fully enjoy all the flowers. The iris is painted in a natural color. All characteristics comply with standards and requirements. The eye color with them will be brown or blue.
It should be said that they are not noticeable or noticeable, allow oxygen to pass through, and do not cause discomfort. Only a professional should make the selection. With it, the patient uses lenses of varying degrees of color. Then, using Rabkin tables or the Ishihara test, the result is checked. The price of a pair is 1000 rubles. Wearing period is 90 days.
How to buy EnChroma color blindness correction glasses?
The retail price in Russia for this model ranges from 30 thousand rubles. Glasses can be found for sale on some Russian websites. However, they are under warranty and can be returned. However, be careful: there are also many EnChroma fakes on the Internet. Before placing an order, carefully study the site and read reviews on the Internet so as not to waste your money. Do not trust claims that glasses will restore the brightness of perception for any type of color blindness - this is not true. Reliable sellers provide accurate information, which can also be found on the manufacturer’s website.
Two more models that can correct color perception are Oxy-Iso and Pilestone. They have a lower cost (Pilestone - about 18 thousand rubles), but are less often available for order on the Russian Internet. Before making a purchase of such optics, you must carefully study all the information provided and get advice from a specialist. For example, glasses are not suitable for people with achromasia and monochromasia, as well as tritanomaly - impaired perception of the blue and violet part of the spectrum. And those suffering from hemeralopia - “night blindness”.
Manufacturers
Today there are two large corporations specializing in the production of glasses for colorblind people.
The American company EnChroma is located directly in the United States. It is possible to order a product in an online store, but it is difficult. If it is possible, it is better to visit the corporation’s office, they will conduct the necessary examinations, a computer program will calculate the necessary parameters, and produce lenses according to individual parameters. The cost of the product is $350.
There are several official representative offices of the company on the territory of the Russian Federation, but they offer products for the average client with average performance. But they have a lower price tag, from twenty-seven to thirty-six thousand rubles.
The Oxy-Iso company specializes in the production of glasses for medical professionals. With the help of eyepieces, the range of capabilities of doctors is significantly expanded; they help:
- Determine how oxygenated the patient’s blood is,
- In some cases, you can see bruises that cannot be seen during a normal examination,
- There is a chance to study venous and arterial blood flow in detail.
The company's products also differ in lens color:
- Gemo-Iso. Has an emerald tint. Health care providers may examine blood pressure with a clenched fist. Best worn in good lighting conditions,
- Oxy-Amp. Lilac lenses help to distinguish even minor changes in skin tone. With their help, you can easily determine the emotional state of a person, find out whether he is lying or telling the truth.
| The average cost of production is eighteen thousand rubles. All products are equipped with an additional filter to protect against UV rays. |
The most popular manufacturer of lenses for colorblind people is EnChroma. The manufacturer produces two types of lenses, one of them is indicated for protanomaly, and the second for deuteranomaly. Layered lenses are produced in ready-made frames. On the site you can find glasses of different shapes and sizes, which makes it easier to select a product to suit your face shape and overall image. You can make frames individually, but it should be said right away that it is very expensive.
Colorblind glasses can be either with or without diopters. The manufacturer has also developed lenses that can be used both in sunlight and in artificial light.
You can buy glasses for colorblind people from the manufacturer Oxy-Iso. This is also an American company that produces layered lenses in different frames. You can buy such glasses from company representatives in Russia.
The price of lenses from EnChroma is about 30 thousand rubles. You can buy glasses from Oxy-Iso for up to 18 thousand rubles.
People who suffer from color blindness can now see all the richness of colors thanks to special layered lenses. Such optics are not cheap, but they are quite effective and have a long service life.
