More Images
BERKELEY, Calif.— EnChroma, the Berkeley-based eyewear company that has established itself as a leader in color vision technology, is expanding its business to include products for people with low vision and glare sensitivity, conditions which are part of a rapidly growing category of visual challenges worldwide. EnChroma executives announced the move yesterday to coincide with the release of EnChroma Lx Lens Technology, a new lens series and eyewear designed for low vision and people 50 and over with glare sensitivity. (See the LaunchPad section, below, for a product description.)

“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.”

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.

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.

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, according to EnChroma.