Do Colorblind Glasses Work?
Quick answer
Colorblind glasses can improve color contrast for some people with red–green color vision deficiency.
They do not restore normal color vision, and objective results vary by lens, person, and task. Treat them as an optional filter, not a cure or a safety device.
What the evidence says by type
| Type | What the checked evidence supports |
|---|---|
| Protanomaly and deuteranomaly | Mild red–green deficiency may show contrast improvement, but measured benefit varies by lens and task. AAO; 2024 deuteranomaly study |
| Protanopia and deuteranopia | The AAO reports glasses do not change perception when red or green receptors are completely absent, although a small 2020 study found a protanopic subgroup improved on one pseudoisochromatic test. AAO; 2020 study |
| Tritanomaly and tritanopia | EnChroma says its lenses are not designed for Tritan-type deficiency; the red–green trials below do not establish benefit for blue–yellow deficiency. EnChroma |
| Achromatopsia | The cited studies tested red–green deficiency, not achromatopsia, so they provide no evidence that color-filter glasses help this group. 2022 study; 2024 study |
What independent measurements found
A 2020 study tested EnChroma filters with 9 color-blind adults and 5 control adults on the AO Hardy–Rand–Rittler test and a color-naming task. PubMed abstract
Its overall AO H-R-R error scores were not clearly improved, with improvement reported only for the protanopic subgroup. 2020 results
The same study found worse color naming for all participants, especially for cyan stimuli. 2020 results
The authors concluded that the filters could change the nature of a color-vision deficiency without necessarily reducing its severity. 2020 conclusions
A 2022 study measured 51 people with congenital red–green color deficiency on the CAD test with EnChroma and VINO glasses. PubMed abstract
Both products had statistically significant effects, but the authors judged only VINO's effect functionally meaningful. 2022 results
A 2024 experiment tested 10 deuteranomalous trichromats on color matching, discrimination thresholds, and color-appearance tasks at first exposure and after one week of regular use. PubMed abstract
The EnChroma filters shifted color matches in the predicted direction and changed red–green color appearance, especially at first exposure. 2024 results
The same study found minimal change in discrimination thresholds. 2024 results
The authors of the 2022 paper declared no conflicts of interest. 2022 disclosure
Together, these studies show why a more vivid appearance cannot be treated as proof of stronger color discrimination.
The PubMed abstracts report study outcomes but no single effect-size percentage that predicts an individual wearer's improvement.
Who is making the claim?
EnChroma's page says its lenses are for forms of anomalous trichromacy and not intended for Tritan-type deficiencies or dichromacy, while also linking to its glasses, test, and retailer options. Company page
That is a manufacturer's description of its own product, whereas the studies above report outcomes from defined tests and participant groups. That distinction matters when asking: do color blind glasses actually work beyond changing how colors look?
A no-conflict declaration records what the researchers disclosed; it does not prove that a product works for every wearer.
“Having the color blind glasses actually made me more color blind, I literally don't know what I'm seeing anymore.” — Original poster GodxKnows, r/ColorBlind, July 29, 2018.
“The change is minor and different for each person.” — Commenter shmimey, r/ColorBlind, September 2, 2025.
Questions to ask before buying
Ask which exact lens was tested for your type and whether the evidence measured color appearance, color naming, or discrimination. Those details help answer a practical question: how do colorblind glasses work for this type and task?
Ask what trial and return terms apply, and whether the lens is designed for your usual indoor or outdoor lighting. If you are weighing the claim against your setting, ask: do glasses for color blindness work under the lighting where you will use them?
Do not rely on color-filter glasses for safety-critical decisions; the AAO's 2021 article reported EnChroma's warning against wearing its glasses while driving. AAO, March 8, 2021
For more on the named deficiencies, see our guides to protanomaly, deuteranomaly, and tritanopia, and remember that our Ishihara page records observations without scoring or diagnosing them.