Developing specialized lenses to improve color vision
Official title: A versatile lens architecture to shape visible light
Funded at Utah State University · NIH-10652885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing new special lenses that could help people with color blindness, especially those who have trouble seeing greens, by making colors easier to distinguish in everyday activities like driving and cooking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Logan, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $429,203 |
| NIH project number | 1R15EY035066-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10652885 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with deuteranomaly or other forms of color vision deficiency.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with normal color vision or those with color vision deficiencies unrelated to deuteranomaly may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a new type of lens architecture designed to enhance the ability to perceive colors for individuals with color vision deficiencies, particularly deuteranomaly. The study aims to address the challenges faced by millions who struggle with color discrimination, which can affect daily activities such as driving, cooking, and medication management. By utilizing a notch filter approach, the lenses will selectively filter light to improve color perception without distorting depth or motion perception. This innovative method could provide a more effective solution compared to traditional tinted lenses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with color vision deficiencies by enhancing their ability to distinguish colors.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been various approaches to improving color vision, this specific notch filter method is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in previous research.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State University
Logan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roper, Donald K — Utah State University
- Study coordinator: Roper, Donald K
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.