BERKELEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EnChroma, Inc. – the leader in color vision solutions – today announced the EnChroma® Lx Lens Technology, a new lens series and eyewear designed for low vision and people 50+ with glare sensitivity, to address a rapidly growing category of visual challenges worldwide. Leveraging more than 10 years of industry-leading color blind lens innovation, EnChroma Lx Technology is specially engineered to support functional vision by reducing the disabling effects of glare, while improving contrast and enhancing color vision over multiple lighting conditions.
According to the World Health Organization, over 285 million people in the world suffer from severe forms of visual impairment, with approximately 246 million qualifying as low vision. In addition, many visual impairments develop with age and one out of every three adults is estimated to experience some vision-reducing eye condition by the age of 65. Visual impairments such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are projected to increase significantly as global demographics shift to older populations.
“Until now, there has not been a viable, comprehensive solution on the market for the huge, fast-growing population of people who suffer from low vision and age-related vision impairments,” said Tony Dykes, EnChroma Co-founder and CEO. “EnChroma Lx Lens Technology features a unique spectral filter that reduces the intensity of white light while transmitting colors up to two times brighter than an average lens. People who wear the glasses will discover that the superior glare reduction, comfort, and enhanced color and contrast will improve their mobility and safety, and enhance their lives.”
The problems people experience as they age, and those with low vision, include:
- Increased glare sensitivity
- Reduced contrast sensitivity
- General or specific loss of color vision
- Day “blindness”
- Need for bright indoor lighting
- Need for array of tools to help manage vision in multiple lighting conditions
“As a low vision specialist for 25 years, I believe EnChroma Lx is the most effective amber, blue light blocking lens that successfully addresses glare without reducing color and contrast. My patients see better and enjoy improved vision,” said Selma Chin, Doctor of Optometry at Vista Center in Palo Alto, California.
To develop the lenses, EnChroma worked with low vision optometrists and patients with rare but serious eye conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa. "EnChroma Lx glasses augment what little vision I have, that I didn’t think I still had, and helps me regain pieces of information I couldn’t perceive before, which reduces my reliance on tactile and echo perception,” said Blair Wong, Chair of the Eye Health Technology Department, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Associate Professor, New England College of Optometry and a licensed optician with late stage retinitis pigmentosa.
Increased and extreme glare sensitivity causes most people with low vision and age-related eye conditions to choose sunglasses with lenses that are too dark to cut glare but they can eliminate important visual information for the wearer. Or, they choose lenses that are very light and brightly colored to enhance the edges of objects seen, but are not dark enough to cut glare. As a result, many people have to carry an array of lens tint options, which makes choosing and putting on the right glasses at the right time a frustrating trial-and-error process.
The four lenses in the EnChroma Lx Series address an individual’s combined need to better manage glare, contrast, and color and make selecting the right lens simple and quick. All of the lenses are blue light filtering to reduce digital eye strain and offer 100% UV protection. The lens series includes four categories of lenses. “Category” is a scientific method of describing the darkness of lenses and typical lighting conditions.
The four lenses include: Category 1 Light Amber (80% transmission) for low-light, screen and night-time use, Category 2 Copper for indoor/outdoor use, (36%), Category 3 Chestnut (12%) for Outdoor use and stronger glare reduction, and an ultra-dark Category 4 Deep Chestnut (3%) for extreme glare management and special vision conditions. EnChroma Lx Series is available at enchroma.com and through select EnChroma Authorized Retailers worldwide. Non-prescription glasses range in price from $279-$429 with prescription glasses costing slightly more.
People with conditions such as cataracts, corneal damage, optic neuropathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma and other visual disorders associated with glare sensitivity and reduced color vision may also benefit from wearing EnChroma Lx glasses.
Product shots, b-roll and graphics illustrating the challenges for those with low vision and age-related vision issues, and the difference that EnChroma Lx glasses can make, can be downloaded by clicking here.
About EnChroma
Based in Berkeley, Calif., EnChroma is the leader in color vision solutions, developing cutting-edge lens technology and eyewear for color blindness, low vision, and other eye conditions. Established in 2010 by a Ph.D. glass scientist and a mathematician, EnChroma’s revolutionary patented eyewear combines the latest in color perception neuroscience and lens innovation to improve the lives of people 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. For more information call +1-510-497-0048 or visit EnChroma.com.