EYES on Seeing Differently – EnChroma Glasses in St Albans

Colour Blindness Awareness in St Albans

Every September, Colour Blindness Awareness Day gives us a reason to pause and think about the way people see the world. Around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women in the UK live with colour vision deficiency. That means thousands of people in St Albans experience colours differently every single day. It is not rare, it is not unusual, and it is not something that disappears over time.

At EYES on St Albans, we have been talking about colour vision for more than seven years. Since we opened, we have stocked and fitted EnChroma® glasses. These special lenses are designed to help people with red-green colour blindness separate and distinguish shades that otherwise look very similar. The results are not identical for everyone, but about 9 in 10 people who try them here notice a shift. Sometimes the effect is instant, and other times it grows over days or weeks. Either way, the impact can be life-changing.

We often see emotional reactions when someone tries EnChroma glasses for the first time. A brighter green in the trees. A clearer pink in a football shirt (have you seen the away kit for our mighty Saints?!). A richer autumn leaf on Clarence Park’s paths. It is these everyday details that bring joy, and they are exactly why we keep talking about EnChroma.

Blue and Yellow – Colours That Connect

Here in St Albans we have a little advantage: our city’s colours are blue and yellow, and these are visible to most people, including those with colour blindness. It means our flags, scarves, and even our EYES branding naturally stand out. It is a happy reminder that accessibility does not have to be complicated. Sometimes it is about choosing colours that almost everyone can see clearly.

Better Signs, Better Access

Accessibility goes beyond eyewear. The way we design and present information in public spaces has a huge effect on how inclusive our city feels. Good signage can help everyone, not just those with colour vision differences. A few simple tips include:

• High contrast colour pairs such as black on yellow or white on navy.
• Simple sans serif fonts like Arial or Verdana, used in larger sizes with clear spacing.
• Non-reflective surfaces to reduce glare and improve legibility.
• Consistent placement so signs are easy to find and follow.

These are small choices but they make daily life smoother for thousands of people.

Why We Keep Talking About It

Colour blindness is not new, and neither are EnChroma glasses. That is the point. The challenge does not go away, and neither does our role in raising awareness. So this Colour Blindness Awareness Day, take it as a gentle reminder: if you have ever wondered what the world might look like through EnChroma, come in for a chat. No pressure, no fuss. Just curiosity, colour, and maybe a fresh way of seeing the place we all call home.