EnChroma Low Vision
Traditional filters often over-block blue light, reducing input to the S-cones and making it harder to see curbs, steps or doorways - especially in dim lighting.
EnChroma took a smarter approach. Instead of blanketing the spectrum with broad cuts, precision-engineered notch filters are placed between the cone types, enhancing contrast while preserving critical wavelengths.
The result:
- A clearer, more natural view
- Reduced glare without the overwhelming yellow/orange tint
- Better performance in real-world conditions
Glare Is the Real PRoblem
What's changing in AGING EYES
As the retina and lens in the eye age, their sensitivities to light, color, and clarity change. The retina increases in glare sensitivity while colors and contrast become duller and less blue. At the same time the lens may be developing opacities that further cloud clear vision, most commonly a cataract, significant in most people in their 70s.
Very dark sunglasses and yellow lenses each solve half the problem, and create the other half.
Increased light sensitivity encourages people to reach for very dark sunglasses, but the aging pupil also loses its ability to widen and adapt to lower light, dusk, and indoor conditions. So patients often turn to yellow lenses to brighten an otherwise dull world, which can in turn be over-dazzling and change color and comfort. Glare obscures and clouds vision and creates discomfort, mild to extreme, that can affect quality of life for simple things like walking, reading, and everyday tasks.
The Challenge With Filters
Balancing two critical needs
When evaluating filters for low vision patients, we balance two critical needs:
- Light Sensitivity (Pain Relief)
- Contrast Sensitivity (Safety)
Patients naturally prioritize pain avoidance during subjective filter assessment, managing light sensitivity rather than contrast. But that assessment can decrease contrast even further in many cases, leaving patients more vulnerable to hazards like curbs, steps, and low-light obstacles.
That trade-off is costly.
According to Prevent Blindness, visual-impairment-related injuries cost the U.S. an estimated $139 billion each year.
Do we really have to trade pain for safety?
The EnChroma LX
TAILORED FOR LOW VISION
EnChroma Lx is a lens technology that manages light and color with ophthalmic-grade optics, 100% UV protection, and full Rx capability.
GLARE
Filters out wavelengths of light that cause discomfort from glare, producing a comforting, quieting effect on the eye.
COLOR
Enhances color perception for improved functional vision, without the dark-lens effect that masks important visual cues.
CONTRAST
Enhanced contrast to highlight details like sidewalks, trees, and stairs for mobility, safety, and enjoyment.
Tailored for low vision patients, EnChroma LX lenses provide:
- Four filter strengths (LX1–LX4) for varying light conditions
- Enhanced contrast indoors and outdoors
- Improved safety when walking or navigating steps
- A more natural, comfortable view
See Below for Tint Comparisons with the LX Series
For reference, here is the picture with no tints or filters.
Lx1 - Light Amber | INDOOR - low light, nighttime, screens
compared to 450 tint
Lx2 - Copper | INDOOR/OUTDOOR - low light or cloudy days
compared to 527 tint
Lx3 - Chestnut | OUTDOOR - daylight
compared to #44P 27% Amber tint
Lx4 - Deep Chestnut | OUTDOOR - bright sun
compared to #43 4% Amber tint
All EnChroma filtered lenses offer 100% UV protection and blue blocking. They are RX compatible and available through Chadwick Optical in the frame of your choice, as a fitover or in any of our custom clips or attachments.