chromagen vision

What chromagen vision does

ChromaGen Vision (operating as Chromagen Europe BV via parent entity NISGAV, headquartered in The Netherlands) is a privately held medical-device and specialty-eyewear company founded in 1989. The company produces and globally distributes patented colored contact lenses, spectacle lenses, and clip-on lenses designed to address color vision deficiency (red-green protan/deutan, blue tritan, and total color blindness) and dyslexia-related visual stress. The underlying technology is the ChromaGen haploscopic filter system — eight colored filters of known density and hue that modify the wavelength of light entering each eye to enhance color discrimination and reduce perceptual distortions of text. The technology was originally developed by David Harris at the Corneal Laser Center for Color Blindness at Clatterbridge Hospital in Cheshire, England; the dyslexia application received patent approval in 1997, and the color-blindness contact lenses are FDA-cleared — positioning ChromaGen as the only FDA-approved color-blindness contact lens system on the US market.

The company operates a hybrid commercial model. Direct-to-consumer revenue is generated through an e-commerce storefront (chromagen.us) selling contact lenses (~€475 per pair with worldwide registered post), spectacles (€400–€800), and the newer Clip-On format (€375, no prescription required). A second revenue stream comes from a worldwide network of certified eye-care practitioners who purchase examination kits and certification rights, granting them exclusive dispensing authority for ChromaGen lenses plus fashion and prosthetic add-ons. Pricing is one-time/perpetual rather than subscription, but a natural repeat-purchase cycle exists for occupational users who must recertify every two years. Products ship to 28+ countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and parts of South America; marketing combines free online screening tools (Ishihara test, 7-question dyslexia survey), a mobile app, and social channels to drive conversion.

ChromaGen has accumulated peer-reviewed validation (2001 Ishihara study showing 89% pass rates, 2011 Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics classroom study, 2022 Journal of Vision Science color-discrimination study, Dr. Zeidan study of 434 patients with 91% showing >45% reading improvement) and was awarded Millennium Product status by the UK Design Council. Ownership is founder/management-controlled, with no disclosed institutional investment, parent company, or public listing.

Name

chromagen vision

Legal name

Chromagen Europe BV

Website

https://ireadbetternow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ChromaGen Vision is a Dutch private company that produces and globally distributes patented colored contact lenses, spectacles, and clip-ons using haploscopic filter technology to address color blindness and dyslexia-related visual stress, selling direct-to-consumer and through certified practitioner networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Ophthalmic Lenses

NAICS

Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Optical Goods Retailers (456130)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contact Lenses & Care Systems (Soft/RGP/Scleral Lenses; Cleaning/Disinfection Solutions) (HLAHAJAE), Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Retail (Glasses/Frames/Lenses) (HLAKAKAL)

Keywords

• Color blindness lenses
• Dyslexia tinted lenses
• Haploscopic filter lenses
• Specialty contact lenses
• Vision diagnostic systems

Headquarters

HQ city

The Netherlands

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Contact Lens Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of ChromaGen contact lenses for color blindness and dyslexia. Products sold in pairs (2 lenses) with worldwide shipping. One-time purchase model with repeat orders as needed (every 2 years for occupational certification renewal).
2. Spectacle Lens Sales: Sales of prescription and non-prescription ChromaGen spectacle lenses in various frame styles. Includes single vision, astigmatic, and multifocal options. Price range €400-800 depending on lens type.
3. ChromaGen Clip-On Sales: Sales of new clip-on product that attaches over existing optical glasses. No prescription required. Priced at €375 with free worldwide shipping. Convenient format for trial or temporary use.
4. Practitioner Certification & Exam Kits: Revenue from certifying qualified doctors and eye care professionals to dispense ChromaGen products. Certified practitioners must purchase examination kits and pay certification fees. Provides exclusive distribution through trained professionals.
5. Fashion & Prosthetic Lens Add-ons: Certified practitioners receive exclusive rights to dispense additional products including unique fashion contact lenses and prosthetic lenses, creating upsell opportunities within the practitioner network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

ChromaGen Vision designs, manufactures, and supplies colored spectacle lenses, contact lenses, and clip-on accessories that use a patented haploscopic spectral filtering system to help people with color vision deficiency (color blindness) and visual-based dyslexia. The company also distributes professional diagnostic systems (examination kits) to a worldwide network of certified eye-care practitioners who prescribe and dispense ChromaGen products.

Product overview

ChromaGen Vision is a producer and worldwide supplier of specialized eyewear products for color blindness and dyslexia management. The core product portfolio consists of ChromaGen Contact Lenses (FDA-approved for color blindness) and ChromaGen Spectacles/Glasses, both using patented haploscopic filter technology with 8 color tints. A newer addition is the ChromaGen Clip-On, a convenient accessory that attaches over existing glasses. Supporting products include a Diagnostic System (Exam Kit) for certified practitioners, a mobile app, and free online screening tests for both color blindness (Ishihara) and dyslexia (7 Questions Survey). The company serves customers worldwide with operations based in The Netherlands through Chromagen Europe BV and NISGAV.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ChromaGen Contact Lenses Hydrophilic contact lenses with a tinted pupil area that filter light wavelengths to enhance color perception for individuals with color vision deficiency. Available in 8 color tints (Magenta for color blindness, Blue and Aqua for dyslexia), supplied in pairs with prescription or plano options, and shipped worldwide.
• ChromaGen Spectacles/Glasses Prescription-ready eyeglasses fitted with ChromaGen haploscopic colored filters in single vision, astigmatic, or multifocal formats. Fitted into authorized Marchon frames including Calvin Klein, DKNY, Fendi, Michael Kors, Coach, Nautica, Nike, Flexon, X Games, and Disney.
• ChromaGen Clip-On Clip-on accessory that attaches directly over the wearer's existing optical glasses to deliver the same ChromaGen filter effect. No prescription required, available in all 8 ChromaGen colors, priced at €375 with free worldwide shipping.
• ChromaGen Diagnostic System (Exam Kit) Professional examination kit supplied exclusively to ChromaGen-certified practitioners, including the full range of diagnostic filters for standard trial frames to determine the optimal color, density, and pupil diameter for each patient.

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NISGAVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1989NISGAV has been the official European and worldwide distributor of ChromaGen products since 1989, based in The Netherlands. Operates the chromagen.us e-commerce platform and manages worldwide distribution logistics including shipping to USA, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
• Marchon (Calvin Klein, DKNY, Fendi, Michael Kors, Coach, Nautica, Nike, Flexon, X Games, Disney)minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerMarchon frames are the Authorized Frames of Choice for ChromaGen spectacles. Includes premium brands: Calvin Klein, DKNY, Fendi, Michael Kors, Coach, Nautica, Nike, Flexon, X Games, and Disney. These authorized frames can be fitted with ChromaGen lenses.
• Clatterbridge Hospital (Corneal Laser Center for Color Blindness)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal development site for ChromaGen technology. Located in Cheshire, England. David Harris developed ChromaGen at the Corneal Laser Center for Color Blindness. Site of original research and patent development for dyslexia application (patent approved 1997).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• EnChroma: EnChroma is the best-known US competitor for color blindness eyewear, offering tinted glasses for red-green color vision deficiency. While ChromaGen sells eight filter options spanning all deficiency types plus contact lenses, EnChroma focuses on spectacle lenses and glasses, making them directly comparable on the color blindness use case.
• Pilestone: Pilestone (UK-based) sells color blindness glasses with multiple lens tint options (red, green, yellow, blue) targeting red-green deficiency. Comparable to ChromaGen's spectacle lens offering for occupational and consumer color blindness correction, though limited to specific deficiency types.
• Irlen Institute: Irlen Method uses precision-tinted overlays and lenses for visual processing difficulties including dyslexia, migraines, and autism. Irlen is the most direct competitor to ChromaGen's dyslexia lens use case, addressing similar magnocellular/visual stress symptoms with colored filters.

Emerging players

• ColorLite: ColorLite (Hungary/US) provides color blindness correction via custom-tinted contact lenses and glasses, with a clinical/diagnostic fitting process. Comparable to ChromaGen's practitioner-driven color blindness contact lens and diagnostic system, though with a more limited filter range.
• O2Amp: O2Amp produces tinted eyewear using proprietary oxy-amp technology for medical/professional applications including vein finding and color enhancement. Comparable to ChromaGen in using tinted eyewear for modified color perception across medical and occupational use cases.

Broad incumbents

• Bausch + Lomb (Bausch Health): Bausch + Lomb is a major global ophthalmic and contact lens manufacturer (Biotrue, Ultra, Softlens). Comparable to ChromaGen on contact lens manufacturing and distribution infrastructure, though operating at far broader scale across prescription, cosmetic, and specialty lenses.
• CooperVision: CooperVision is a top-3 global soft contact lens manufacturer with specialty lens lines including toric, multifocal, and tinted products. Comparable to ChromaGen on contact lens fabrication, materials science (hydrophilic polymers), and practitioner-channel distribution.
• Johnson & Johnson Vision: Johnson & Johnson Vision (Acuvue brand) is one of the largest global contact lens manufacturers. Comparable as a broad incumbent in prescription and specialty contact lenses, with established FDA-cleared product portfolios and global practitioner relationships.
• Alcon Vision Care: Alcon is a global leader in eye care including contact lenses (Dailies, Air Optix, Precision) and ophthalmic surgical equipment. Comparable as a broad incumbent with manufacturing scale, regulatory expertise, and contact lens distribution capabilities overlapping ChromaGen's specialty niche.
• Eschenbach Optik: Eschenbach Optik (Germany) is a leading European supplier of optical products including low-vision aids, magnifying devices, and specialty eyewear. Comparable to ChromaGen on optical product distribution in Europe and serving visual impairment/dyslexia-related specialty channels.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nisgav
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChromagenLenses
• Instagraminstagram.com/chromagentm
• TikToktiktok.com/@chromagenlenses
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chromagen-vision-llc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about chromagen vision