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Researchers at Khalifa University have developed lenses that use a transparent resin mixed with two wavelength-filtering dyes to provide a tinted effect. To customize the lenses and make them as similar as possible to commercially available products, the team used two dyes—one to block unwanted wavelengths for red-green patients, and another to filter unwanted wavelengths for yellow-blue patients, Both groups had volunteers to demonstrate the efficacy of the lenses.
Although glasses based on this approach are currently on the market, they are not comfortable to wear and cannot be optimized. But the Khalifa University research team has developed its own lens frame, using 3D printing to optimise the frame’s comfort and usability, making it as close as possible to regular eyeglasses.
“Our results showed that 3D printing had no effect on the wavelength filtering properties of the dye. In fact, the dye was bound to the resin and 3D printed, so it remained unchanged. When we compared the optical performance of our glasses to commercial glasses for color blindness “Our results show that our 3D printed glasses are more selective than commercial glasses in filtering unwanted wavelengths. They have great potential in the treatment of color blindness, and their ease of manufacture and customization means they can be tailored to each patient.” be customized,” said Dr Haider Butt, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Khalifa University.
The glasses have undergone numerous tests to address toxicity, durability and longevity. The tests included storing the glasses in water for more than a week to analyze for any dye leaks, and leaving them in the open air for a week at ambient conditions. Glasses exhibit tensile strength and flexibility, demonstrating their stability and durability.
The findings from Khalifa University offer colorblind people an opportunity to lighten the shades of certain colors they cannot distinguish, which may limit their work in areas critical to color recognition outside of performing everyday tasks.
The research was funded by organisations in Abu Dhabi, including real estate developer Aldar Properties and social initiative Sandooq Al Watan.
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