A World That Became Brighter: Glasses That Changed Color Perception
Color blindness (color vision deficiency, or CVD) affects approximately 1 in 12 men (8%) and 1 in 200 women worldwide.
Color blind glasses have become one of the most notable technological solutions of the past decade: they do not cure the condition itself, but they help improve color discrimination, allowing users to see colors more vividly and with greater contrast.
These glasses gained popularity thanks to companies such as EnChroma and Pilestone, as well as thousands of videos showing people seeing rich colors or a rainbow naturally for the first time.
How They Work
The principle behind color blind glasses is based on filtering certain wavelengths of light. In people with color blindness, the perception spectra of red and green partially overlap, causing some shades to appear the same.
The glasses contain special optical filters that reduce this overlap. As a result, the signals sent to the brain from different cones (photoreceptors in the retina) become more distinct, allowing the person to better differentiate similar colors.
Key Technologies:
- Multi-notch filtering technology, used in EnChroma lenses: the filter cuts narrow ranges of overlapping red and green wavelengths, enhancing the contrast between them.
- Pilestone optical coatings apply different levels of filtration depending on the type of color blindness (protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia).
- AR-compatible lenses: newer models allow combining filters with prescription glasses or using them in virtual reality.
It is important to understand that the glasses do not restore normal vision and do not change the structure of the retina; they only enhance the distinguishability of shades in the real world.
Applications
Color blind glasses are used across various fields, both in daily life and professional tasks.
- Everyday Use: People with color blindness often struggle with choosing clothing, recognizing traffic lights, or interpreting colored maps and charts. Glasses make these situations easier by allowing them to rely on color independently.
- Education
Teachers and students using such glasses report improved perception of graphs, tables, and laboratory experiments where color plays a key role. - Design and Engineering
Visual professions, from graphic design to architecture, require accurate color perception. Glasses allow specialists to better assess shades and contrast. - Medicine and Research
In some cases, glasses are used for diagnosing color blindness or as an auxiliary tool in studying retinal function.
Factors That Can Affect the Experience
Although color blind glasses open new possibilities, several factors must be considered:
- Type of color blindness matters: Glasses work best for red-green forms (protanopia and deuteranopia), which are most common. For blue-yellow forms (tritanopia), effectiveness is significantly lower.
- The effect may be subjective: Some users notice a dramatic improvement in perception, while others experience only subtle changes in shades. This is due to individual retinal characteristics.
- Lighting affects the result: Glasses work best in daylight, where the light spectrum is broad. Under artificial or dim lighting, the effect may be reduced.
- Price and availability: Costs range from $80 to $400 depending on the model, design, and corrective properties.
According to a study by the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), participants wore EnChroma glasses for 11–14 days, and some improvements (contrast, color naming) persisted even after stopping use.
Conclusion
Color blind glasses are an example of how technology can help compensate for perceptual differences without interfering with biology. They do not cure color blindness but provide the opportunity to see colors in a new light.
Each year, filters become more precise, lenses lighter, and color perception more accessible. In the near future, such technologies may be integrated into AR glasses and VR headsets, making both digital and real worlds equally vibrant for everyone.