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EnChroma

EnChroma
ManufacturerEnChroma
Websitehttps://enchroma.com/ Edit this on Wikidata

EnChroma are a brand of color corrective lenses designed to address the symptoms of red–green color blindness. Studies have shown that these lenses can alter the appearance of colors, but they do not restore normal color vision,[1] and generally agree that they do not allow the wearer to see "new" colors, with some exceptions.[2]

History

EnChroma lenses are designed, marketed and distributed by EnChroma, inc. in Berkeley, California. EnChroma glasses were invented incidentally in 2002 by Donald McPherson while trying to develop lenses to protect and aid surgeons during laser operations. The company received a grant from the NIH in 2005, the glasses were released to the public in 2012 and cheaper versions in 2014.[3] In 2015, EnChroma teamed up with Valspar Paint in an advertising campaign titled "Color For All", which focused on the experience of trying on EnChroma glasses for the first time. This led new EnChroma owners to upload reaction videos, which earned the ad campaign three marketing awards by Chief Marketer, including best use of video and best use of social/viral marketing.[4]

Color blindness

The target users of the lenses have either deuteranomaly or protanomaly, both forms of red–green anomalous trichromacy, the most common forms of partial color blindness. The mechanism of red–green anomalous trichomacy sees the spectral sensitivity of the red- and green-sensitive cone opsins (L-opsin and M-opsin, respectively) shift towards each other, i.e. the L-opsin is shifted to shorter wavelengths (protanomaly) or the M-opsin is shifted to longer wavelengths (deuteranomaly). Either mechanism causes a larger overlap between the M- and L-opsin sensitivities, leading to a smaller color gamut, and less ability to differentiate colors along the red–green axis.[5] Common colors of confusion include blue vs. purple, yellow vs. neon green, grey vs. cyan vs. pink, red vs. orange vs. green vs. brown.[6] Neither dichromatic (protanopia or deuteranopia) users nor tritan users are targeted by EnChroma.[7]

As of December 2023, EnChroma markets SuperX lenses to non-colorblind users.[8]

Working principle

See also: Color blind glasses § Notch filters
Transmittance of EnChroma color correcting lenses (indoor and outdoor) superimposed onto the normalized spectral sensitivities of the cone opsins of a color normal subject.

EnChroma lenses are composed primarily of an optical notch filter that selectively filters wavelengths of light in the part of the spectrum where the M- and L-opsin sensitivities overlap, namely 530-560 nm, thereby removing light that excites both opsin types and decorrelating the signals between the M- and L-cones.[7][9] EnChroma claims that the notch filter effectively re-separates the spectral sensitivities of the opsins, increasing the dynamic range of the red–green opponent process channel closer to that of color normal subjects, thereby correcting anomalous trichromacy (partial color blindness) and enabling users to distinguish colors they could not distinguish without the glasses.[10][11] A number of patents have been granted based on the technology.[9][12][13]

Efficacy

The efficacy of the lenses is generally not supported by the literature, with some exceptions. However, there is no single measure of efficacy shared by the literature. A proper evaluation of efficacy requires an overview of claimed or potential effects. Claimed effects include:

  • Enhancing color vision (immeasurable)
  • Correcting color vision (mimicking or simulating normal color vision)
  • Seeing new colors (that are imperceptible without the lenses)
  • Increasing contrast between colors
  • Improving performance on color vision tests

The American Optometric Association reports that "Using specially tinted eyeglasses... can increase some people's ability to differentiate between colors, though nothing can make them truly see the deficient color."[14]

The first study to incite popular skepticism of EnChroma[15][16][17] was a 2018 study published in Optics Express, where 48[a] colorblind subjects performed the Ishihara test, FM-100 test and a color naming test with and without EnChroma indoor lenses. The results showed no significant improvement to the performance on any of the color vision tests.[1] The study also claimed that only one participant noticed any difference in the colors in the test environment, when prompted, and the results "cast doubt on the real effectiveness these devices have on the color vision of observers with CVD." The study also showed that the mistakes made in the color naming test changed with the lenses on, suggesting that while contrast between some colors increases with the glasses on, it comes at the expense of lower contrast in others, i.e. making some mistakes with the glasses on only.[1] In an attempt to explain some of the emotional reaction used in EnChroma advertisements, the study's lead author stated that "The use of a colored filter may change the appearance of colors, but will never make color vision more similar to a normal observer's vision. It's like turning up the contrast on a TV, which for some people can be startling enough to trigger an emotional reaction."[15]

A study in 2017 involving 23 males aged from 20 to 25 years with normal trichromatic color vision showed that EnChroma Cx-14 lens notches the blue and violet region of the visible spectrum. This induced participants with normal color vision to experience tritan defect when wearing the lens.[18] In a subsequent study, the EnChroma Cx-14 filters did not significantly influence the vision of 10 colorblind subjects and "improved the error score in only two subjects".[18]

A 2020 study of University of California, Davis assessed the glasses' impact on color discrimination, color naming, and color preference tasks in 10 participants. The results indicated that wearing EnChroma glasses led to significant improvements in color discrimination and naming tasks for participants with mild to moderate red–green CVD. However, the glasses did not demonstrate the same level of effectiveness for those with severe CVD.[19][b]

A 2021 article published by the American Academy of Ophthalmology reported that color blindness glasses "change what the people who wear them see, enhancing the distinction between red and green ... but the experience will vary widely among individuals, and these glasses don't give people a true equivalent of natural color vision." The AAO also says that "the positive effects of the glasses last only as long as they are being worn." and that the EnChroma glasses "don't in any way modify a person's photoreceptors, optic nerves or visual cortex to fix colorblindness."[20]

A 2022 study evaluated the impact of EnChroma eyewear on 13 anomalous trichromats (9 deutan, 4 protan), who used the glasses for two weeks. The research measured Visually Evoked Potentials (VEPs) elicited by red, green, and blue stimuli, and assessed color naming and color discrimination thresholds. Post-habituation, all participants displayed new VEP responses in the primary visual cortex (V1), improved color naming abilities, and reduced color discrimination thresholds, indicating enhanced color perception.[21]

A 2022 meta-analysis concluded that EnChroma lenses show no "clinically significant evidence that subjective color perception has improved. As a result, recommending these color vision devices to the CVD population may not prove high beneficial/be counterproductive."[22]

A 2024 study investigated the effects of EnChroma filters on 10 deuteranomalous trichromats across three areas: color matching, color discrimination, and color appearance. The findings indicated that the filters significantly enhanced color matching in line with predictions, expanding the color gamut for these individuals. However, the study noted minimal improvement in color discrimination at threshold levels. Additionally, significant enhancements were observed in the appearance of colors along the red-green axis, suggesting improved color perception in this spectrum.[2]

Notes

  1. ^ 62.5% of these were indicated as dichromats according to anomaloscope testing, which are not claimed to gain anything from wearing EnChroma lenses.
  2. ^ One of the authors of this study disclosed owning shares in EnChroma at the time of publishing.

References

  1. ^ a b c Gómez-Robledo, L; Valero, EM; Huertas, R; Martínez-Domingo, MA; Hernández-Andrés, J (October 29, 2018). "Do EnChroma glasses improve color vision for colorblind subjects?". Optics Express. 26 (22): 28693–28703. Bibcode:2018OExpr..2628693G. doi:10.1364/OE.26.028693. hdl:10481/57698. PMID 30470042. S2CID 53721875.
  2. ^ a b Somers, Lucy P.; Franklin, Anna; Bosten, Jenny M. (May 2024). "Empirical tests of the effectiveness of EnChroma multi-notch filters for enhancing color vision in deuteranomaly". Vision Research. 218: 108390. doi:10.1016/j.visres.2024.108390. PMID 38531192.
  3. ^ Martin, Claire (August 15, 2015). "EnChroma's accidental spectacles find niche among the colorblind". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  4. ^ "PRO AWARDS GOLD: BEST USE OF SOCIAL/VIRAL MARKETING 2016—VALSPAR COLOR FOR THE COLORBLIND". Chief Marketer. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  5. ^ Sharpe, LT; Stockman, A; Jägle, H; Nathans, J (1999). "Opsin genes, cone photopigments, color vision, and color blindness". Color vision: From genes to perception (PDF). p. 351.
  6. ^ Lakowski, R. (July 1, 1969). "Theory and practice of colour vision testing: A review Part 1". Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 26 (3): 173–189. doi:10.1136/oem.26.3.173. PMC 1008938. PMID 4893872.
  7. ^ a b "How EnChroma Glasses Work". EnChroma. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "SuperX". EnChroma. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  9. ^ a b US 10338286, Schmeder, Andrew W. & McPherson, Donald M., "Multi-band color vision filters and method by LP-optimization", published 2019-07-02, assigned to Enchroma Inc. 
  10. ^ Diane, Kelly; Maddie, Stone (July 11, 2015). "Can These Glasses Help the Colorblind? We Put EnChroma to the Test". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  11. ^ Bettenhausen, Craig (February 6, 2017). "Experimenting with EnChroma's color-blind assistance glasses". Chemical & Engineering News. 95 (6): 80. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  12. ^ US 10534117, McPherson, Donald M., "Optical filters and methods for making the same", published 2020-01-14, assigned to Enchroma Inc. 
  13. ^ US 10606100, Schmeder, Andrew W. & McPherson, Donald M., "Optical filters affecting color vision in a desired manner and design method thereof by non-linear optimization", published 2020-03-31, assigned to Enchroma Inc. 
  14. ^ "Color vision deficiency". aoa.org. AMERICAN OPTOMETRIC ASSOCIATION. December 13, 2023. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Builder, Maxine Builder (February 20, 2019). "Do Color-blind Glasses Actually Work?". nymag.com/. New York Magazine. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  16. ^ Ouellette, Jennifer (November 6, 2018). "Spanish scientists: EnChroma glasses won't fix your color blindness". Ars Technica. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  17. ^ NLN, Dave (November 14, 2018). "Do EnChroma glasses for colour blind people work?". Skeptical-science.com. Skeptical Science. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  18. ^ a b Almutairi, Nawaf; Kundart, James; Muthuramalingam, Naganathan; Hayes, John; Citek, Karl; Aljohani, Saad (2017). "Assessment of EnChroma Filter for Correcting Color Vision Deficiency" (PDF). Pacific University. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  19. ^ Werner, John S.; Marsh-Armstrong, Brennan; Knoblauch, Kenneth (August 2020). "Adaptive Changes in Color Vision from Long-Term Filter Usage in Anomalous but Not Normal Trichromacy". Current Biology. 30 (15): 3011–3015.e4. Bibcode:2020CBio...30E3011W. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2020.05.054. PMID 32589909.
  20. ^ Mukamal, Reena (March 8, 2021). "Do Colorblindness Glasses Really Work?". aao.org. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  21. ^ Rabin, Jeff; Silva, Frances; Trevino, Natalie; Gillentine, Harper; Li, Liqing; Inclan, Loary; Anderson, Gary; Lee, Erica; Vo, Harrison (July 2022). "Performance enhancement in color deficiency with color-correcting lenses". Eye. 36 (7): 1502–1503. doi:10.1038/s41433-021-01924-0. PMC 9232552. PMID 34999724.
  22. ^ Male, Shiva Ram; Shamanna, Bindiganavale R; Bhardwaj, Rishi; Bhagvati, Chakravarthy; Theagarayan, Baskar (2022). "Color vision devices for color vision deficiency patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Health Science Reports. 5 (5). National Library of Medicine: e842. doi:10.1002/hsr2.842. PMC 9498227. PMID 36189411.
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