Mitigating the Effects of Colorblindness using Alcohol Dyed 3D Printed Lenses

Julien Le Teigner and Tarushv C. Kosgi

AOS Jr Research

Abstract

Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) glasses have become widely accessible, however, their one size fits all approach often limits their effectiveness. This study explores a novel design for customizable CVD glasses that use bespoke 3D printed colored flat lenses in order to compensate for individual deficits in color perception. The system employs alcohol dyes to color the lenses in order to compensate for the lack of perception of that color in the individual, aiming to bring the perception of that color up to normal levels by "forcing in" more of that light.

Introduction

Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) occurs when someone is missing one of three color detecting cones in their eyes.

To solve this problem, researchers have developed CVD glasses, with the aim of improving the color vision of people with CVD. The issues are that current CVD glasses are "one size fits all", and usually very expensive. Not only does the "One size fits all" approach lead to CVD glasses being ineffective for the majority of the CVD population, but the high price means that many people can not afford CVD glasses regardless.

CVD affects roughly 4.25% or 344 million people world wide.

CVD can prevent people from getting jobs such as being a pilot, doctor, chef, electrician, or anything that involves color detection. Additionally, people with CVD can struggle to determine when fruit is ripe, meat is cooked adequately, and when food has gone bad. These can pose serious health risks, which is why developing adequate CVD lenses is important.

Types of Color Vision Deficiency

  • Deuteranomaly: Reduced sensitivity to green light
  • Protanomaly: Reduced sensitivity to red light
  • Tritanomaly: Reduced sensitivity to blue light

Impact of CVD

  • Career limitations
  • Daily challenges with color-coded information
  • Safety concerns (ripe food, cooked meat, traffic signals)
  • Educational disadvantages

To solve the issue of having expensive, ineffective CVD glasses, our design uses interchangeable, 3d printed, green lenses. The glasses consists of one lens on each eye, that is dyed with a mixture of green alcohol dye and 91% isopropyl alcohol. The higher the concentration of isopropyl alcohol, the weaker the green color will be, and vice-versa. By using resin and cheap alcohol dyes to make the lenses, our CVD glasses are adjustable, cheap, and can be fabricated at home.

Hypothesis

We hypothesize that by using 3d printable resin and cheap alcohol dye, we can mitigate the effects of CVD in individuals with deuteranomaly.

Methodology

Independent variable

The concentration of green alcohol dye used in each lens.

Dependent variable

The score obtained on the ishihara and FM100 tests.

Constants

The amount of light in the testing room, the position of the glasses on my head, and the tests used to measure the effectiveness of the glasses.

Control

The score obtained on the ishihara and FM100 tests without the glasses.

Repeated trials

Taking the Ishihara CVD test 20 times without glasses for control, and 10 times each time for testing the glasses. If the Ishihara test suggests a change, then the FM100 test will be used to obtain more accurate results.

Materials

  • Formlabs V4 clear resin
  • Formlabs 2b printer
  • Pinata lime green alcohol dye
  • 91% isopropyl alcohol
  • Ishihara CVD test
  • FM100 CVD test
  • Lux meter
  • Tape/glue
  • Scissors
  • Pipette

Testing Procedure

  1. Set up testing in a darkroom
  2. Take the Ishihara test twenty times without lenses and average the score
  3. Take the FM100 test without glasses for control
  4. Take the Ishihara test ten times with lenses and average the score
  5. If a significant difference is observed, test lenses with FM100 test
  6. Change dye concentration as needed and repeat tests
  7. Use T-test to determine statistical significance of results

Sample plate from an Ishihara test

Example photo of an unsolved FM100 test

Results

DUE TO SIGNIFICANT MATERIAL DELAYS, WE WERE UNABLE TO COLLECT ANY DATA IN TIME FOR THIS LAB MEETING. WE AIM TO HAVE DATA WITHIN THE NEXT 2 MONTHS, PRIOR TO THE FINAL SYMPOSIUM. WE CURRENTLY HAVE OUR 3D MODELS READY TO PRINT IF WE WANT TO DO CIRCULAR LENSES, AND WE ARE EXPLORING ALTERNATE METHODS THAT WOULD AVOID THE TRADEOFFS OF RESIN PRINTING, SUCH AS CREATING A MOLD OF SAFETY GLASSES, SETTING RESIN IN THE MOLD, CURING IT, AND DYING IT. THIS WOULD AVOID ISSUES SUCH AS RESIN WASTAGE, GRIEVOUS BODILY HARM, ETC.

3D Model of Lens Design

Expected Results Visualization

CVD Simulation

Experience how colorblindness affects vision and how our lenses might help:

0%

Original Image

With Colorblindness

With Lens Correction

Select an image to simulate:

Conclusion

In conclusion, we expect to find an optimal dye percentage to alleviate deuteranomaly by examining the Ishihara and FM100 results across multiple trials using statistical means. Our project's success would represent a significant advance in CVD glasses, and usher in a new era of bespoke CVD glasses that are more effective and accessible to more people. We hope to make our glasses as widespread and accessible as offerings like prescription glasses, helping those with CVD live their lives to the fullest.

Future Work

  • Testing with a larger sample of participants with varying degrees of CVD
  • Exploring different dye colors and combinations for other types of CVD
  • Investigating alternative materials that may be more comfortable for extended wear
  • Developing a standardized testing protocol for customizing CVD lenses

Citations/Acknowledgements

Saba Hittini, et al. (2023). Fabrication of 3D‐Printed Contact Lenses and Their Potential as Color Blindness Ocular Aids. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 308(5). https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202200601

Alam, F., et al. (2022). Development of 3D‐Printed Glasses for Color Vision Deficiency. Advanced Engineering Materials, 2200211. https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202200211

Elsherif, M., et al. (2020). Contact Lenses for Color Vision Deficiency. Advanced Materials Technologies, 6(1), 2000797. https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202000797

Roostaei, N., & Hamidi, S. M. (2023). Two-dimensional biocompatible plasmonic contact lenses for color blindness correction. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36572-9

Salih, A. E., Shanti, A., et al,. (2021). Silver Nanoparticle‐Loaded Contact Lenses for Blue‐Yellow Color Vision Deficiency. Physica Status Solidi (A), 2100294. https://doi.org/10.1002/pssa.202100294

Jacob, L., et al,. (2024). Biogenic Gold Nanoparticle‐based Antibacterial Contact Lenses for Color Blindness Management. Advanced Engineering Materials. https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202301242

Alam, F., et al,. (2023). 3D printed intraocular lens for managing the color blindness. Additive Manufacturing Letters, 5, 100129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addlet.2023.100129