Color Blind Glasses Cost: Cost, Insurance, and More

Color blindness (color vision deficiency) can prevent you from distinguishing certain colors. Thankfully, color-blind glasses can help improve your color experience.

But most people might be wondering how much these glasses cost. This article will discuss the cost of color-blind glasses and whether or not they’re worth the investment.

How Much Do Color-Blind Glasses Cost?

Color-blind glasses typically cost between $200 and $400. For children, prices start at approximately $189.

Unfortunately, insurance plans don’t typically cover color-correcting glasses because they’re not medically necessary. Check your insurance policy about receiving color-blind glasses as prescription sunglasses.

Your insurance company may offer a discount or a voucher for them.

Comparing Leading Brands and Prices

Several brands offer color-blind glasses with unique pricing structures and product offerings. Here’s a comparison of their prices and features:

Brand	Price Range	Features	Return Policy
EnChroma	$200 to $400	Advanced multi-notch filter; indoor and outdoor lenses; prescription lenses available.	60-day money-back guarantee
Colormax ColorCorrection System	$3,000 to $10,000 +	Customized filters in glasses or contact lenses to alter the perceived wavelengths of color.	No published money-back policy
Pilestone	$80 to $150	Affordable tinted lenses; various types for red-green and blue-yellow deficiencies.	60-day returns; lifetime warranty
VINO Optics	$300 to $400	Medical-grade lenses primarily target red-green color blindness.	30-day return; one-year warranty
Custom Solutions	$400 to $900+	Personalized tinted lenses require an in-person fitting. High precision, custom to each user.	Typically, no returns (custom-made)

Prescription options typically add an extra $100–$150. While most glasses aren’t covered by standard insurance, you can use flexible spending accounts (FSA) or financing plans to manage costs.

Our Picks for Best Color-Blind Glasses

Here are our top choices for color-blind glasses: 

EnChroma Glasses

EnChroma is the most popular brand of colorblind glasses. They’re designed by a UC Berkeley-trained researcher, mathematician, and Ph.D. glass scientist.

EnChroma glasses feature optical materials that filter specific wavelengths of light, allowing the wearer to experience more accurate color perception.

Colormax ColorCorrection™ System Glasses

The ColorCorrection System matches the precise wavelength of light to a person's color vision correction requirements. The filters are specially designed for each person. 

They can be applied to contact lenses and eyeglasses.

Why are Color-Blind Glasses so Expensive?

Color-blind glasses are expensive because some premium models use high-end materials. Many leading brands, such as EnChroma, use Trivex lenses, while lower-cost options often rely on standard polycarbonate or TR90 plastics.

Additionally, some people are willing to pay high prices to experience the joy of seeing vibrant colors for the first time.

How Do Color-Blind Glasses Work?

Color-blind glasses filter certain light wavelengths, particularly for those with red-green color blindness. Here are a few factors that make these glasses work:

• Selective wavelength filtering. Color-blind glasses use special lenses that filter out specific wavelengths around 530 to 560 nm to reduce confusion between red and green.
• Contrast enhancement. Rather than correcting vision, these glasses modify how colors appear to boost contrast.
• Indoor vs. outdoor lenses: Outdoor lenses are darker and optimized for sunlight, making colors appear more vibrant outdoors. Indoor lenses are lighter and maintain better visibility indoors under artificial lighting.

Are Color-Blind Glasses Worth the Cost?

Color-blind glasses are a luxury item that can cost several hundred dollars. Their value depends on your willingness to spend and your personal needs.

There are also other factors you need to consider before purchasing a pair of color-blind glasses, including:

• Worse night vision. Wearing them at night may reduce the amount of light reaching your eyes, potentially worsening night vision.
• Potential issues with other eye conditions. Reducing the amount of light entering the eye may be less helpful for people with cataracts or macular degeneration, who often need extra brightness for optimal vision.
• Realistic expectations. They may not provide the experience you’re hoping for. Having realistic expectations of how much these glasses may change your vision is important.
• Not the same as contrast-enhancing glasses. Hunting glasses and filters for photography increase the contrast between colors, but they aren’t designed to help people with color blindness.

Where to Buy Color-Blind Corrective Glasses

Colorblind glasses are available directly from the EnChroma website. Alternatively, you can buy EnChroma and other colorblind glasses brands on Amazon. 

EnChroma provides a color-blind test on its website to check your color vision, which can be helpful before purchasing.

What are the Benefits of Color-Blind Glasses?

Color-blind glasses won’t restore perfect color vision but offer several practical benefits beyond aesthetic improvements. These include:

• Color-blind glasses can help you distinguish wires, charts, color-coded equipment, and traffic lights.
• Color-blind glasses can help students with color vision deficiencies in academic settings, reducing challenges associated with visual learning and tasks.
• Experiencing vibrant colors can provide a deeper appreciation for art.

Find an Eye Doctor

Speaking with an eye care professional can provide personalized guidance about color-blind glasses and alternative technologies.

Visit the VisionCenter Find an Eye Doctor page or refer to resources from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) for comprehensive information about managing your color vision deficiency.