Novel color filters for the correction of red-green color vision deficiency based on the localized surface plasmon resonance effect of Au nanoparticles.

Color filters are promising tools for the correction of color vision deficiency because a medical cure of this physiological deficiency is unattainable. After the introduction of organic-dye based color filters, however, no appreciable progress has been made. In this study, gold nanoparticle-based plasmonic color filter devices, that is, EyEye-lens and EyEye-film, were developed for the correction of color vision deficiency. The EyEye-lens was prepared by a simple immobilizing technique, and the EyEye-film was readily synthesized through a one-pot method. These color filter devices are based on tunable localized surface plasmon resonance in the visible and near-infrared spectral range. Plasmonic nanoparticles embedded in the color filter provide a specific spectral color range for the correction of color vision deficiency. Careful color vision tests using an Ishihara plate were performed on subjects with red-green color deficiency. Statistical analysis of the color vision tests revealed that the EyEye-lens and EyEye-film have similar or better performance in the correction of red-green color deficiency than a commercial ChromaGen lens. The newly developed color filter devices should be considered as alternative personalized color filter devices for practical applications.