Colorblind glasses: principle of operation, indications for use

The perception of the entire variety of shades of the color spectrum is provided by cones - photoreceptors, which are located in the central part of the retina, called the macula. Based on their sensitivity to light of different wavelengths, there are three types of cones. S-type cones are sensitive to the violet-blue, M-type to the green-yellow, and L-type to the yellow-red parts of the color spectrum. The presence of these three types of cones provides a person with color vision.

Color blindness, as color blindness is also called, affects mainly men, to whom the disease is transmitted genetically. According to medical statistics, it is present in 8% of men and 0.5% of women. The causes of pathology acquired during life can be injuries to the visual organs, diseases of the central nervous system with damage to the optic nerve. For example, if you have cataracts, light does not penetrate well through a clouded lens, and as a result, the ability of photoreceptors to correctly perceive colors is impaired. When the optic nerve is damaged, all eye functions responsible for vision also deteriorate, although the condition of the cones themselves may be normal. A failure in the transmission of nerve impulses to photoreceptors can also occur in diseases such as parkinsonism, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, leukemia, etc.

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.

Who is it suitable for?

What kind of people should wear these lenses? There are three types of cone cells that are active in daylight. Each of them has a spectrum of color perception, of which there are three. These are green, blue, red.

Color blindness occurs when one of the pigments is missing. A person does not perceive any of the colors. But if three pigments are present, then vision is called trichromasic. The most common form in people with color blindness is dichromasia. This is a person’s perception of only one spectrum.

The disease is divided depending on the absence of pigment. If there is no red, then it is protanopia. Blue - tritanopia. Green-deuteranopia. Sometimes a person cannot distinguish between three colors. This is called monochromasia. But such a pathology is extremely rare. Many experts are looking for solutions.

People with color blindness are limited in their choice of profession. They do not receive a driver's license. Genetic engineering is the right solution to such a problem. But its level is so low that you should not rely on it.

Today it is possible to correct the perception of colors only with the help of specially designed devices.

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.

Glasses overview

The most famous glasses are produced by EnChroma. And the good thing is that they can be purchased regardless of where you live, that is, via the Internet. But first you need to pass all the required tests.

After this, an accurate diagnosis of a person’s visual abilities is carried out. Then the optimal visual parameters are calculated and, taking into account all the characteristics, lenses for glasses are made using the layering technique. And thanks to this, there is a guarantee of complete restoration of the color perception of the world.

Of course, in order to accurately select glasses, you need to go to the USA and go to a specialized clinic. But the price will be 22,000 rubles + flight tickets. This is the simplest option. The type of frame also affects the price.

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.

What glasses use photochromic lenses?

The main advantage of the photochromic coating on glasses is that it can be applied to lenses with diopters. In this way, it is possible to relieve people with refractive errors from the need to carry several models with them. There are no restrictions on the refractive index, surface shape, or number of optical zones.

Photochromic sunglasses are also quite popular. For example, the Serengeti company produces ultra-light models with polarizing, oleophobic, hydrophobic coatings and anti-fog, which are suitable for lovers of an active lifestyle.

What colors are photochromic lenses? The most popular options are those that provide eye comfort in any lighting. These are brown, gray and green shades of varying intensities. However, today you can find brighter options: for example, Transitions Signature lenses are available in emerald, sapphire, amethyst and amber colors. Here's what women's and men's glasses with such photochromic lenses look like in the photo:

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”.

Useful video

You can learn more about how such lenses work using the following video:

And here you can find out how a child with a pathology who put on glasses felt:

Their prices are not low. But what can you do to see better? Such lenses and glasses are a godsend that allows you to bring your perception of the world back to normal. And the fact that a beautiful frame, color or shade is chosen will make them a stylish accessory.

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Alexandrova O.M.

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2029

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Diagnosis and treatment of color blindness

Only an ophthalmologist can diagnose color blindness. It is he who can determine the degree of color blindness, its shape and distribution in the eyes. Diagnosis of color blindness is carried out using specialized tests of color perception - Rabkin's polychromatic tables.

For example, in one of Rabkin’s tables it is suggested to look at a picture that shows numbers. People without color vision defects see equally correct numbers 9 and 6. Test yourself, what do you see?

People with hereditary color vision impairment cannot be treated. The situation with an acquired form of color blindness is a little different. In some cases, correction is possible, but without the possibility of full recovery. For example, if color blindness occurs as a result of cataracts, surgical intervention is possible to correct the primary disease - cataracts.

The real panacea for most colorblind people is colorblind glasses. The modern market offers a fairly wide selection of possible models, but customer reviews indicate that most of them are ineffective. Let's consider this issue in more detail.