For many children and teenagers, the summer holidays are a chance to slow down. (we see you parents rolling your eyes, we see you…)
No school run.
No homework.
No rushing from lesson to lesson.
At EYES on St Albans, we think it’s also one of the best times of year to discover whether the world could be a little more colourful.
What is colour vision deficiency?
Around 1 in 12 boys and men and 1 in 200 girls and women have some form of colour vision deficiency, often referred to as colour blindness.
For many people, it’s simply how they’ve always seen the world.
“They don’t necessarily know they’re missing anything,” says Jez Levy, owner of EYES on St Albans. “If you’ve always seen colours a certain way, you naturally assume that’s how everybody else sees them too.”
Colour vision deficiency can affect everyday life in ways that aren’t always obvious.
It might make it harder to:
- Match clothes
- Read coloured charts and graphs
- Follow colour-coded instructions
- Distinguish ripe fruit
- Enjoy sport or gaming where colour plays an important role
- Spot subtle differences between shades
For some people it’s only a minor inconvenience. For others, it can quietly affect confidence without anyone really understanding why.
Discovering EnChroma
EYES on St Albans has been helping people explore EnChroma glasses for more than seven years, and we’ve shared some incredibly special moments with customers and their families.
“It’s one of the most rewarding things we do,” says Jez. “Not everyone experiences a dramatic change, but when EnChroma is right for someone, seeing their reaction never gets old.”
Unlike a standard eye examination, an EnChroma appointment is about understanding how you experience colour and whether these specialist lenses are likely to help.
Why summer is the perfect time
The summer holidays are an ideal opportunity to book an appointment.
Without the pressures of school, college or work, families can take their time, ask questions and enjoy the experience together.
There’s no rush.
If someone is suitable for EnChroma, we nearly always head outside together to experience the lenses in natural daylight.
“That’s often when the magic happens,” says Jez.
With trees in full leaf, colourful flowers, blue skies and parks full of life, summer provides the perfect backdrop for exploring what EnChroma lenses can do.
Honest advice, every time
One thing we’re passionate about is setting realistic expectations.
EnChroma doesn’t work for everyone, and that’s absolutely fine.
Different types of colour vision deficiency respond differently to the lenses.
“We’re always honest,” says Jez. “We’d much rather someone leaves with good advice than unrealistic expectations. If EnChroma isn’t likely to help, we’ll tell you.”
That’s one of the reasons families travel to EYES on St Albans from across Hertfordshire and beyond. They know they’ll receive expert guidance without any pressure.
Moments families never forget
For those who are suitable, trying EnChroma can become one of those unforgettable family moments.
Parents often notice the reaction before their child can even find the words.
Teenagers suddenly spotting colours they’d never appreciated.
Adults discovering shades they didn’t realise existed.
Families sharing an experience they’ll remember for years to come.
No two appointments are ever quite the same, but every one begins with curiosity and ends with a better understanding of how someone sees the world.
Could EnChroma be right for you?
If you’ve ever wondered whether you or your child sees colour differently, we’d love to help.
We’ll explain how colour vision works, identify the type of colour vision deficiency, answer your questions and, if appropriate, let you experience EnChroma for yourself.
You might discover the world has been hiding a few colours all along.
After all, holidays are for making memories.
Why not make them a little more colourful?
Spex, hugs and rock’n’roll.
Keep Your Cool: Summer Eye Care Tips from EYES on St Albans