​Color Blindness Correcting Glasses

We may have seen color blindness correction glasses in advertisements. People who have red/ green color blindness are benefited from these glasses. Do they actually work?

Color vision deficiency is another name for inherited color blindness. It has no cure at all. People having milder form of color blindness can correct their vision by improving the contrast in colors but the results differ from person to person according to the deficiency. The cone photoreceptors present in the retina are helpful for seeing colors. Absence of these cones is the cause for genetic color blindness. People having color blindness cannot detect red or green light. These special glasses are made of certain minerals which filters light wavelength and helps the brain from getting confused between red and green light. These glasses block green and red light wavelength. As a result the light does not get overlapped. However they cannot change color perception for people with complete absence of green and red photoreceptors. They do not make any change to the visual cortex or optic nerve.

Things to consider before purchasing the glasses

It is not a good idea to wear these glasses during night time as it reduces the amount of light entering the eyes. This is also a major problem for people who have cataract or macular degeneration. The cost of these glasses is also high and is considered as a luxury item by many. They are also not covered by any insurance as color blindness is not a life threatening disease.