A group of researchers from Khalifa University has developed a novel wearable tech that may be useful for people who are color blind.

The research group has developed a method for producing customized spectacles using 3D printing. 

As reported first by Interesting Engineering, the lenses were made from a translucent resin that was colored by mixing it with two dyes that filter light at different wavelengths. 

The researchers used three different dye concentrations to tailor the lenses, and they compared their 3D-printed glasses to commercially available solutions for addressing color vision deficiencies (CVD). 

Addressing CVD

It is worth noting that the lack or absence of a certain pigment molecule in a person's visual center causes color blindness. People cannot distinguish different colors apart in either case. 

The retina of the eye has three different types of cones, and each one can differentiate between blue, green, and red light. A person can only perceive the full range of colors if the three cones in the eyes are functioning. However, if a person has color vision insufficiency (CVD), an inherited eye condition, it limits their color vision.

Red-green color blindness is the most prevalent form of CVD, and the majority of patients utilize wearables to help them with daily tasks. Tinted glass is the most common kind of wearable. 

Postdoctoral fellows Ahmed Salih and Dr. Mohamed Elsherif, together with Dr. Haider Butt, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, have dedicated their entire careers to making the lives of color-blind persons considerably easier with their wearable. 

Even though research has considerably improved the qualities and materials of CVD wearables that are now on the market, Dr. Butt noted that patient-specific customization of glasses for CVD remains a challenge. 

Read also: 'Chameleon Robots:' These Robots Can Change Colors and Mimic Their Surroundings Through 3D Printing

Testing the 3D-Printed Spectacles

The photoreceptor responsible for sensing green light, known as the deuteranomaly, which primarily affects men, responds to red light. However, red-colored spectacles can aid by making the colors more visible. 

Some dyes can absorb and filter out wavelengths between green and red that confound the photoreceptors. Less color overlap gives the brain a clearer signal to help it distinguish between the colors. This concept can likewise be applied to the other forms of CVD. Hence, the team employed two dyes. 

For red-green patients, one blocked the undesirable wavelengths, while for yellow-blue patients, the other filtered the unwanted wavelengths. 

The bulkiness of prior iterations of the spectacles was also mentioned by the researchers. As a result, they used 3D printing to create adaptable frames for comfortable use. 

To test the durability of the colors, the 3D-printed spectacles were submerged in water for a week. The results showed no dye leaked into the water, demonstrating their stability. By keeping the glasses exposed to the elements for an additional week, the strength and longevity of the product were also proven. 

Related Article: Scientists Are 3D Printing Insects and Mixing Them With Vegetables To Help Solve Food Crisis 

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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla