5 Best Color Blindness Correction Glasses

Color blindness correction glasses allow those with color blindness to adjust the way colors are perceived. Different types of color blindness call for different corrective glasses, so it’s important to understand your impairment before purchasing a pair of color blindness correction glasses.

Once you know what type of color blindness you are affected by, you should have an idea of when and where you will wear your glasses most. Some glasses are designed for indoor use, while others are slightly tinted and are best suited to the outdoors. If you plan to wear your correction glasses over prescription glasses, you should look for a pair specifically designed for this purpose. You should also find a pair of glasses with a frame style that suits you.

Color blindness is a condition that prevents you from seeing colors accurately. There may be certain colors that you can’t tell apart. Both eyes are typically affected, and it’s a lifelong condition that cannot be permanently reversed.

The inability to see colors normally occurs because cones in the retina which detect color aren’t present, don’t function properly, or misinterpret one color as another. Color blindness can occur if there is an issue with one or more cones.

If three cones are missing or not working properly, the affected person will have severe color blindness.

If all three cones are present but one doesn’t function properly, the affected person will have mild color blindness.

With mild color blindness, you may be able to see colors normally in bright lighting but have difficulty telling them apart in low lighting. Severe color blindness usually means you can’t tell certain colors apart no matter how good the lighting is.

The most severe form of color blindness causes you to see everything in shades of gray. This is extremely rare.

There are two main types of color blindness: red-green and blue-yellow.

Red-green color blindness is the most common type. Either the red cone or the green cone is affected, so the ability to perceive either red or green is affected. If the red cone is the problem, you may see red, orange, or yellow shades as greener than they actually are and colors in general as dull. Or, you may see red shades as black and some yellow, orange, and green shades as yellower than they actually are.

If the green cone is the problem, you may see green and yellow shades as redder than they really are and be unable to distinguish purple from blue. Or, you may see green shades as beige and red shades as yellowish brown.

Blue-yellow color blindness doesn’t occur as often as red-green color blindness. The cones that perceive blue are affected, so blue shades appear greener than they really are, and you may have difficulty distinguishing yellow and red from pink. In other cases, yellow shades may look purple or gray.

In order for color blindness correction glasses to be effective, they must address the type of color blindness that you have. Most glasses are designed to correct red-green color blindness. There are a wide variety of options to choose from. If you suffer from blue-yellow color blindness, however, there aren’t as many options on the market.

Before you buy a pair of color blindness correction glasses, be sure to read the manufacturer's product specifications. You want to make sure the glasses will correct the type of color blindness you have.

Some color blindness correction glasses are designed primarily for indoor use, where artificial lighting can affect the way you see colors. Others are designed mainly for outdoor use; they work better in sunlight because they offer greater tinting on the lenses. You can also find color blindness correction glasses that are designed for both indoor and outdoor use.

When you’re choosing a pair of glasses, consider where you plan to wear them. You’ll want the lenses to be effective for the lighting you’ll experience most often.

Color blindness correction glasses are usually more comfortable if the frames are made of lightweight plastic or metal. Some have fully adjustable frames for enhanced comfort and fit. Most styles resemble sunglasses frames; you can get a fairly stylish look with a basic black or tortoise-shell finish. Glasses with metal frames typically offer the most subtle look. This may be best for you if you don’t want the glasses to be too obvious.

If you wear prescription glasses and want to place color blindness correction glasses over them, look for a pair with sporty frames or a wrap-around style. These tend to be larger, so you can easily slip them over another pair of glasses. Sporty frames are also a good option if you need color blindness correction glasses that are durable for work or play.

If you plan to wear color blindness correction glasses over prescription glasses, choose a corrective pair with an anti-reflective coating on the lenses. This will help cut down on any reflection between the two pairs of glasses that might affect your vision.

Prices for color blindness correction glasses vary based on the type of color blindness they correct and the quality of the frames. Most pairs runs between $50 and $450. Here’s an idea what you can expect to get for your money.

A pair of red-green color blindness correction glasses with lower-quality frames typically costs $50 to $100. A pair of blue-yellow color blindness correction glasses with lower-quality frames typically costs slightly more – between $60 and $115.

A pair of red-green color blindness correction glasses with average-quality frames typically costs $100 to $275. A pair of blue-yellow color blindness correction glasses with average-quality frames typically costs $115 to $250.

A pair of red-green color blindness correction glasses with high-quality frames typically costs $275 to $450. A pair of blue-yellow color blindness correction glasses with high-quality frames typically costs $250 to $375.

A. Color blindness affects the way the cones in your retina perceive wavelengths of light. In turn, your ability to differentiate between certain colors is impaired. Color blindness correction glasses have tinted lenses that can remove certain wavelengths of light, so you can distinguish between colors more easily.

Not all color blindness correction glasses work on all types of color blindness. Specific wavelengths must be removed to address your specific color vision issues.

A. It can actually take some time for your eyes to adjust to the lenses. Give yourself at least 10 minutes to adjust to the darker tint of the glasses; don’t remove them as your eyes adjust. To become fully adjusted to the glasses, some manufacturers recommend wearing them for at least 10 hours in a variety of lighting situations over the course of one to two weeks.

A. You shouldn’t experience any side effects from using color blindness correction glasses. If you notice that you’re getting a headache or experiencing eye strain, it may be a sign that you need an update to your vision prescription. Consult an eye care professional to make sure you’re using the appropriate glasses for your vision issues.