Many assume because of its name that “color blind” means a person can only see in black and white. In actuality, the vast majority of people with color blindness do see color, but they see a much smaller range of shades of color compared to a person with normal color vision. In addition, a person with color blindness may miss out on details or not notice objects that would normally be plainly visible, because the color of the details or object is confusingly similar to surrounding visual context. A classic example is not noticing a ripe red apple in a tree when it is surrounded by green leaves.

Humans have three primary types of light receptor cells in the retina that respond broadly to red, green, and blue light. Signals from these receptor cells form the basis of color vision, by transmitting neural signals to the brain about the relative amount of each primary color to the visual cortex. It is estimated that the human visual cortex can perceive about 100 levels of sensitivity for each primary channel: 100 x 100 x 100 = 1 million, which is where we get to 1 million perceived shades of distinct color.

However, if a person is color blind, for example having red-green color blindness, then the red and green primary channels have an overlap in their signals causing the channels to contain almost the same information. In the most extreme case, called dichromacy, the red and green channels are completely indistinguishable, such that the total number of colors that can be seen is just 100 x 100 = 10 thousand or just 1% of the normal range. Most people with color blindness have only a partial loss of sensitivity, meaning the information is there, but is harder to notice. Depending on the severity, the number of unique shades of color that can be seen is more often estimated to be around 10% of normal.

Color blindness (also spelled colour blindness) or color vision deficiency (CVD) includes a wide range of causes and conditions and is actually quite complex. Usually when people talk about color blindness, they are referring to the most common forms of red-green color blindness, which are genetic conditions caused by a recessive gene on the X-chromosome, but there are other types as well.

Red-green color blindness can be broken down into two main types: Protan-type (“pro-tan”), which is a disorder of the first “prot-” type of retinal cones also called the L-cones, and Deutan-type (“do-tan”) which is a disorder of the second type of retinal cone also called the M-cones.

What are EnChroma Color Blind Glasses
EnChroma color blind glasses are revolutionary patented eyewear that combines the latest in color perception neuroscience and lens innovation to improve the lives of people around the world.

Based in Berkeley, Calif., EnChroma produces cutting-edge color blind glasses, low vision and other color vision solutions sold online and through Authorized Retailers worldwide. Established in 2010 by a Ph.D. glass scientist and a mathematician, EnChroma’s revolutionary patented eyewear for color blindness combines the latest in color perception neuroscience and lens innovation to improve the lives of people with color vision deficiency around the world. EnChroma received an SBIR grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and earned the 2016 Tibbetts Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration in recognition of the firm’s innovative impact on the human experience through technology.

How EnChroma Color Blind Glasses Work
EnChroma glasses for color blindness are engineered using a revolutionary lens technology developed in the early 2000’s by a glass scientist and UC Berkeley educated mathematician. What goes into developing the one-of-a-kind color blind glasses that enable people with color vision deficiency to see colors they only previously imagined? Let’s start with a few facts about how we process color vision in the eye.

EnChroma develops optical glasses for colorblindness that selectively filter out wavelengths of light at the precise point where this confusion or excessive overlap of color sensitivity occurs. The M and L cones are altered in such a way that there is a greater amount of difference in color discrimination along the so-called “confusion line” for that individual.

Our color blind glasses increase contrast between the red and green color signals, alleviating symptoms of color blindness for a richer experience of the world. With the application of science, optics, mathematics and more than 10 years of clinical research, EnChroma continues to advance the field of color vision research and bring new products to market that solve unique color deficiency issues. EnChroma also provides prescription color blind glasses if required.

To find out if you are color blind--and what type and severity of color vision deficiency--take our brief EnChroma Color Blindness Test. It is one of a kind proprietary screening test that takes just 2 minutes to help you determine if you have normal color vision or if you are color blind. It was the first test of its kind to also determine the type and level of severity of color blindness to help you choose the right EnChroma lens for you.  

The EnChroma Color Blind Test is specifically designed to determine your type of red-green color blindness (deutan or protan) and level: mild deutan or protan, moderate deutan or protan, or strong deutan or protan so you can get the best glasses for color blindness. However there are limits to what can be tested with a self-administered online test. If you believe that you may have a color vision deficiency, EnChroma recommends getting a complete eye exam by a qualified eye care professional.

EnChroma glasses for color vision deliver patented lens technology for color and clarity, allowing those with color blindness to see vibrancy they never thought imaginable. EnChroma chromatic glasses for the color blind are endorsed by eye care professionals worldwide and are uniquely engineered for the most common types of red-green color blindness.

What does a color blind person see when they put on EnChroma color blind glasses for the first time? New colors, greater depth perception, and improved color vibrancy. If you’ve seen the videos, you know what an EnChroma moment looks like but did you know there is more than ten years of science, color perception neuroscience and lens innovation behind the emotional EnChroma colorblind glasses experience? EnChroma glasses for color blindness make a huge impact on those with this sensory disability that often goes unaddressed. Find the best color blind glasses for you now at enchroma.com.

It has been discovered that dogs are dichromats, meaning they have 2 types of color sensitive cone cells; blue and yellow. Compared to humans, who are trichromats (three types of cones), dogs’ color vision is very limited. Scientists believe canine color vision is roughly similar to someone with very severe red-green color blindness, so the question is, would EnChroma sunglasses work for a dog? Unfortunately, no. Red-green color blind humans still have all three cones (red, green, blue), while dogs only have two (blue and yellow). The differences in eye composition are too great for our glasses to be effective. We’ve also heard from our Customer Support department that a few pups out there have gotten a taste for EnChroma color blind glasses, despite the fact that we don’t recommend them as treats!