ChromaGen™ was developed by David Harris at the Corneal Laser Center for Colour Blindness at Clatterbridge Hospital in Cheshire, England. Dr. Chaaban Zeidan, an optometrist from Tamworth, England together with Cantor & Nissel further developed ChromaGen™ for dyslexia, resulting in patent approval in 1997. ChromaGen Europe is the official distributor of ChromaGen™, and Maxine Morgan Europe is the official distributor of ChromaGen™ in Europe.

Unlike other programs, ChromaGen™ offers a range of eight coloured filters, as opposed to other lenses such as X-chrom and ColorMax, which only offer lenses for those with red/green colour blindness and are not FDA approved. This Cantor & Nissel product is available in both spectacle and contact lens modality.

“The ChromaGen™ system of lenses has been awarded Millennium Product status [by the Design Council in Britain] to recognize forward thinking, challenging, creative and innovative products,” and “highlight the best of British inventions.”

ChromaGen™ and Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a condition in which affected people are unable to “grasp the meaning of written or printed words and sentences” or “to read more than a few lines with understanding.” It is believed that Dyslexia could be a visual disorder as well as a neurological disorder due to Magnocellular system abnormality. Problems can show themselves in reading, writing, number work, short-term memory, hand control and visual processing. Timekeeping, sense of direction and interpersonal skills can also be affected. Approximately 16 percent of the over 292 million people in the United States are affected by some form of reading disorder that cannot be corrected by optical correction (powered lenses).

“In trials, the ChromaGen™ lens system has been shown to be of benefit to those dyslexics who suffer from the perceptual distortion of text that makes reading more difficult. These distortions include blurring (that cannot be corrected by refraction), movement of the letters or words, shimmering to the page, the words sinking into the white background of the page, pattern glare, and patterns formed by the spaces between words and lines that interfere with reading. Although ChromaGen™ is a symptomatic treatment and the underlying neurological condition remains unchanged, in the majority of these patients the ease of reading is improved.” Results of an in-office study performed by Dr. Zeidan indicate that 91% of 434 patients showed over a 45% improvement in speed-reading and writing abilities over a 6-month period. Neuroscientist Professor John Stein has estimated that using the special coloured filters of ChromaGen™ could help approximately one in three people who suffer from visual dyslexia.

ChromaGen™ is a unique system of coloured lenses for dyslexia. It provides a quick and reliable screening test for visual dyslexia. When the patient selects the right colour combination during the assessment an immediate improvement can be experienced including clearer text, ease of reading and word and number recognition. As a result, text typically becomes clearer and stays still on the page.

Dyslexic users of ChromaGen™ have reported:

“When I read, I don’t miss lines out as I used to and this means I am faster at reading. And when I write I don’t miss out words.” – Thomas (age 7)

“My speed of reading increased at once and I was able to read without so much fatigue. The glare off the page had gone and my eyes were soothed.” – Linda (age 46)

“Instead of seeing a mass of undecipherable text, I can now see the individual words.” – Sonsoles Herras (age 40), Madrid

ChromaGen™ and Colour Deficiency
Colour deficiency, also known as colour blindness, is an optical condition in which affected people have a deficiency in one or more of the primary colours (red, green, or blue) recognized through the retina. There are approximately 3.5 million people afflicted with colour blindness in the United States. Ten percent of males and 0.6 to 0.8 percent of women are colour deficient.
Colour deficiencies can be grouped into the following categories: Deutrans (lack in green receptors), Protans (lack in red receptors), Tritans (lack in blue receptors), Monochromatics (sees only 1 pigment), and Achromatics (has no functioning cones). Defective colour vision can range from near-normal ability to distinguish colours, where typically the chemical for seeing red or green is slightly altered, to a high degree of confusion, where the chemical balance is considerably altered.

In trials, over 97% of colour blind people reported a significant enhancement to their colour vision and their everyday lives. For people suffering from colour deficiency or 'colour blindness', ChromaGen™ haploscopic filters work by changing the wavelength of each colour going into one or both eyes, which enhances colour perception and colour discrimination. Improved colour vision may also lead to improved safety through earlier identification of hazard warning lights and brake lights on the roads.

ChromaGen™ users with colour deficiency testify:

“I realized that some cars I thought were black were navy blue or dark green. As I looked around, it was as if colours popped out at me, especially orange, pink and fuchsia. I will be able to see colours I was lacking.” – Nick A., New York

“I used to think I had a genetic defect that just couldn’t be helped. Now I see everything in a new light. Flowers are just so astonishingly beautiful they take your breath away.” – A. Bristol, GP

How ChromaGen™ Works
It is believed that, in reading disorders, there is a problem with the magnocellular pathway or 'wiring circuit' to the brain. The magnocellular pathway consists of large nerve cells that form a path from the eye to the brain. It is thought that these pathways differ in people with reading disorders from those without reading disorders.

“The magnocellular system carries important information about timing and, if incorrectly formed, can scramble the information passed between the eyes and the brain – just like two fax machines that are not quite communicating correctly. This results in the blurring and distortion to writing that many dyslexics notice, and which others may experience but do not realize is abnormal.”

The fitting of ChromaGen™ lenses helps re-synchronize and selectively changes the speed of the information in the pathways to enable sufferers to improve their reading ability, handwriting and spelling.

In cases of colour deficiency, ChromaGen™ changes the level of each colour going into the non-dominant eye and, in some cases, both the dominant and non-dominant eye, enabling enhanced colour perception and colour discrimination.

ChromaGen’s™ eight tints are available in spectacle and contact lenses that are plano or prescription. In cases where only one eye needs to be treated, one treated ChromaGen™ lens has provided similar beneficial results. The examination process allows patients of any age to experience the benefits of ChromaGen™. All ChromaGen™ lenses are only available through Chromagen Europe (www.chromagen.us)

ChromaGen™ Spectacles
Available lens parameters are single vision, astigmatic and multifocal. To hide the tinted lens, a mirrored or semi-mirrored finish is available so that the best cosmetic effect is achieved.

Spectacles are of benefit for those patients experiencing ASD™ as they are only needed when reading or studying, whereas contact lenses are worn consistently.

Spectacle blanks are available for frames authorized by Chromagen Europe. Marchon frames are the Authorized Frames of Choice, including Calvin Klein, DKNY, Fendi, Michael Kors, Coach, Nautica, Nike, Flexon, X Games, and Disney.

ChromaGen™ Contact Lenses
ChromaGen’s™ lenses are Benz 55% water material and the tinted area is only the pupil area of 5, 6 or 7 mm with a standard BC of 8.60mm in 14.5 diameter. Single vision and toric contacts are available.

Contact lenses are cosmetically beneficial, as the pupil of the lenses is tinted, and in most cases this tinting is undetectable.

ChromaGen™ Exam Kits
The ChromaGen™ Diagnostic System is available only to Licensed Practitioners that have completed and received their official guild certification for ChromaGen™. It comprises a full range of diagnostic filters and a 25 contact lens trial set in the same colours as the filters. This offers a choice of density of colour and of tint diameter (5mm, 6mm & 7mm) to ensure optimum performance from the chosen hue. This kit is sanctioned for the testing of both ChromaGen™ spectacle and contact lens use.

Chromagen Europe will distribute a special Detection Kit. This kit will be available for the layperson, school workers, hospitals, and other individuals or companies that would like to be able to test for ASD™. The use of this kit will allow the user to determine whether ChromaGen™ will benefit the individual being tested. Once tested, the user will be able to refer the individual to a certified ChromaGen™ Practitioner for further testing.

Support for Practitioners
Practitioners of the ChromaGen™ haploscopic filter system are required to attend training seminars. Seminars will provide training into the techniques and subtleties needed to properly use the ChromaGen™ system. Guild Certified Practitioners will receive ChromaGen™ Certification and will be able to test and prescribe the necessary lenses for their patients.

Once a practioner has been certified, there will be ongoing professional seminars available. An ongoing professional back up service will be available to Certified Practitioners.

ChromaGen™ Certification
Only qualified doctors who are certified through factory trained specialists can dispense ChromaGen™. Chromagen Europe is authorized to screen and refer practitioners to Cantor & Nissel. Each and every Certified Practioner must purchase a special examination kit and agree to special conditions to safeguard the patent.
Chromagen Europe will conduct training in groups of 50 or more doctors in key cities throughout the country
Beginning in January 2006, Chromagen Europe will offer a special incentive to doctors who register for certification before June 30, 2006: a $ 2150 (full purchase price) rebate on examination kits.

Certified Practitioners will have exclusive rights to dispense other Cantor & Nissel products, such as unique fashion contact lenses and prosthetic lenses.

To become a privileged Practioner, complete the registration form and submit to your rep. or to info@chromagen.us (mention the name of your rep.) with a check or money order as soon as possible.
You will be contacted with a choice of dates for certification seminars.

ChromaGen™ Certification Registration Form:

( To download Registration form in WORD document click here, save it, fill all details and fax or send back as attachment by e-mail, info@chromagen.us )

Or print the following form to be able to fill and fax back: ChromaGen Europe Fax: +31-180-623562

Printable Registration Form:

Practioner Name __________________________________________________________

Practioner License _________________________________________________________

Name of Practice __________________________________________________________

Address of Practice ________________________________________________________

Contact Telephone Number _________________________________________________

Contact Fax Number _______________________________________________________

Contact E-Mail Address _____________________________________________________

City and State choice for Training Seminar:

1)______________________________
2) Vision Expo East      ______________
3) Vision Expo West    _______________

Years in practice ________________

Year graduated from license granting organization _________________

Name of license granting organization ___________________________

Familiarity with dyslexic or colour deficient patients:  Circle one: Yes / No

                                          COSTS AND EXPENSES
ChromaGen™ Examination Kit*      $ 2100.00
Application and Administration Fee $   250.00
Cost of Samples                              $  325.00
Seminar / Training / Support            $   850.00
Total                                               $ 3525.00

Non-refundable deposit $ 1000.00
Due at seminar or upon receipt of examination kit $ 2525.00

*Rebate of $ 60.00 on first 35 ChromaGen™ prescriptions, $ 2100.00

Please mail Registration Form with check or money order payable to ChromaGen Europe.
Postbus 4344, 3006 AH, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Ask your rep for Credit Card Payments and Online Registration.

Please e-mail us to info@chromagen.us if you need more info.

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www.dyslexiaa2z.com/visionchromagen.html
www.corneal-asia.co.kr/product.htm
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, 20th ed. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins.
Stein, John and Vincent Walsh, 1997 To see but not to read; the magnocellular theory of dyslexia, Oxford University;
http://www.physiol.ox.ac.uk/~jfs/pdf/stein&walsh.pdf
www.dyslexiaa2z.com/whatis.html
Hodd, N. B. 2000 The Chromagen™ method for colour deficiency and specific learning difficulties, Optometry Today - Optics Today;
http://www.optometry.co.uk/articles/20001117/hodd.pdf
Harrabin, Roger Dyslexics turn to coloured specs, BBC News, 2 July 2003
www.azmaneye.com/Pages/chromagen.html