Special enhancement lenses are effective glasses for color blindness. These lenses are most effective at correcting red and green color deficiencies. While glasses for color blindness are not as effective at correcting the inability to see blue and yellow, some patients see adequate improvement with their use. The glasses are not able to create any permanent improvements in color blindness, but are effective at changing the eyes’ ability to sense different colors.
Since color blindness is considered to be a genetic disorder, regular prescription glasses are not effective. In the late 1990s, special color lenses were developed to help individuals who suffered from a red and green color deficiency. These glasses are effective at bringing out shades of red and green. They also help bring a brightness to shades that individuals with color blindness typically see as faded.
Some individuals may not find the glasses effective. While most colorblind patients suffer from an inability to distinguish between reds and greens, the small percentage of patients who are not able to discriminate between yellow and blue hues will see little benefit from these types of lenses. Those with extreme cases who are only able to see shades of black, grey and white will not gain any benefit from glasses for color blindness.
It is important that patients realize that glasses for color blindness will not give them 100 percent normal eyesight. These lenses increase the differences between different shades. They make it more likely that those with color blindness will be able to see an enhanced version of the colors they find it difficult to distinguish.
In order to be as effective as possible, only one special enhancement lens is worn. This allows the brain to process the fact that the eyes are actually seeing separate colors. If both eyes look through the special enhancement lenses with the same tint, the same level of color blindness will remain. Some individuals choose to use two lenses, but each one has a separate tint, which has proven to be just as effective as using one tinted lens.
When glasses for color blindness are worn, there tends to be an improvement in only certain areas. Other aspects of patients’ visions may be compromised by their use. For example, most are not able to wear the lenses while driving since they impair the ability to judge distance in low light conditions. Fluorescent and three-dimensional effects may also be seen when using the lenses.