Children’s NoIR Filter 93 Achromatopsia Glasses– Red 6% VLT

What are helpful glasses for a child with achromatopsia and severe light sensitivity?

If your child has achromatopsia, finding achromatopsia glasses for kids that provide enough protection from intense light can be confusing. Bright daylight may cause squinting, discomfort, or make it harder for your child to use the vision they have.

NoIR Filter 93 achromatopsia glasses for kids use a very dark red specialty filter that allows only about 6% of visible light through. NoIR specifically designed Filter 93 for achromatopsia and strong blue-light blocking.

This is not simply a pair of dark children’s sunglasses. The red filter strongly reduces shorter blue and green wavelengths while also dramatically reducing overall brightness.

What does the NoIR Filter 93 red lens actually do?

Filter 93 has a 6% VLT. VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission, which simply tells you how much visible light passes through the lens.

A 6% VLT means approximately 94% of visible light is filtered out.

The red lens also selectively blocks much of the shorter blue and green portion of visible light. For some children with achromatopsia, reducing these wavelengths can make bright environments more visually comfortable.

Will these glasses cure achromatopsia or restore color vision?

No. These glasses do not cure achromatopsia and they do not restore normal color vision.

The purpose of a specialty filter is to help manage severe light sensitivity and make the child’s available vision more comfortable to use.

That distinction is important because these are very different from the color-blindness glasses sometimes advertised as helping people see new colors.

What will my child see through a red Filter 93 lens?

The view through Filter 93 will have a strong red tint and will be substantially darker than the view through ordinary sunglasses.

For a child with complete achromatopsia, color vision is already severely limited or absent. A child with incomplete achromatopsia who retains some color perception may notice that the red filter changes how colors appear.

The goal of the lens is not natural color reproduction. Its purpose is strong light reduction and selective wavelength filtering.

Where might my child wear Filter 93 glasses?

Children with achromatopsia can experience uncomfortable light levels in places that seem completely normal to everyone else.

Filter glasses may be useful in environments such as:

• Bright outdoor daylight
• Playgrounds and outdoor recess
• Beaches, pools and areas near water
• Bright pavement or highly reflective surfaces
• Snow and other intensely reflective environments
• Classrooms with large windows
• Bright stores or indoor spaces
• Car rides where sunlight enters through the windows
• Outdoor sports, walks and family activities

Because Filter 93 is extremely dark, some children may prefer a different filter indoors than they use outside.

Can my child wear achromatopsia glasses at school?

Yes, Achromatopsia glasses for kids can be especially helpful at school when bright windows, outdoor recess, or strong classroom lighting causes discomfort.

Other classroom adjustments can also help, such as seating away from bright windows, sitting closer to instructional materials and using magnification or larger print when needed.

Your child’s low-vision specialist, pediatric ophthalmologist, teacher of students with visual impairments or school vision team can help determine what works best in the classroom.

Does every child with achromatopsia prefer a red lens?

No. This is one of the most important things for a parent to understand.

Red filters have traditionally been used for achromatopsia because they strongly reduce light and short-wavelength stimulation, but filter preference is individual.

Some people with achromatopsia prefer a neutral gray lens, particularly indoors. If your child does not tolerate a red filter well, that does not mean specialty filters will not help. A different lens color or level of darkness may simply be more comfortable.

A low-vision professional can be particularly helpful when comparing red, gray and other specialty filters.

Which NoIR pediatric size should I choose?

Age can help narrow the choices, but your child’s actual face and frame measurements are more important than age alone.

Children of the same age can have very different face widths, so use the age ranges below as a starting point.

Toddler – approximately infant to age 3

Frame #14 – Soft Wrap-Around
Width: 108 mm / 4.25″
Temple: 95 mm / 3.74″
Height: 32 mm / 1.26″

This is NoIR’s soft-material toddler wrap-around frame.

Frame #61 – Adjustable Strap Goggle
Width: 115 mm / 4.53″
Height: 32 mm / 1.26″
Adjustable strap: up to 394 mm / 15.51″

Small – approximately school age through pre-teen

These frames generally work best as a starting point for children around 6–12 years old, although facial size varies and some petite teenagers may also fit them.

Frame KM – Close-Fit Wrap-Around
Width: 127 mm / 5.00″
Temple: 130 mm / 5.12″
Height: 37 mm / 1.46″

NoIR specifically describes the KM as a close-to-the-face pediatric frame suited to pre-teens, adolescents and petite faces.

Frame #0100 Flexible Black Frame
Width: 124 mm / 4.88″
Temple: 127 mm / 5.00″
Height: 30 mm / 1.18″

Frame #0101 Flexible Pink Frame
Width: 124 mm / 4.88″
Temple: 127 mm / 5.00″
Height: 30 mm / 1.18″

Frame #0102 Flexible Blue Frame 
Width: 124 mm / 4.88″
Temple: 127 mm / 5.00″
Height: 30 mm / 1.18″

Medium – older child or teen

Frame #41 – Fit-Over
Width: 130 mm / 5.12″
Temple: 146 mm / 5.75″
Height: 37 mm / 1.46″

Frame #41 is different from the other pediatric choices because it is a fit-over frame. It is designed to provide room over many prescription eyeglasses and includes adjustable temples plus side and top coverage.

For this frame, the size of your child’s prescription glasses is more useful than age when deciding whether it will fit.

What if my child already wears prescription glasses?

If your child needs to wear the red filter over prescription eye-wear, Frame #41 is the pediatric fit-over option.

Measure the outside width and height of your child’s prescription frame and compare those measurements with the NoIR frame dimensions before ordering.

If the prescription needs to be incorporated directly into a specialty filter setup, your child’s eye-care professional can help determine the most appropriate option.

Which frame is best for an active child?

For younger children who need a very secure fit, Frame #61 uses an adjustable goggle-style strap.

For a school-age child who runs, plays or tends to remove glasses frequently, Frame #0112 may be worth considering because it combines flexible construction with earlocks and an adjustable strap.

The #0100, #0101 and #0102 frames also use flexible construction designed to withstand bending and everyday play.

How do I know if Filter 93 is the right tint for my child?

If your child has been diagnosed with achromatopsia or rod monochromacy, Filter 93 is one of NoIR’s specialty filters specifically identified for the condition.

However, the amount and color of filtration that feels best can vary from child to child. One child may be comfortable in deep red while another may prefer gray or another specialty tint.

If this is your child’s first specialty filter, discussing tint and darkness with their pediatric ophthalmologist or low-vision professional can be helpful.

NoIR Filter 93 Kids Glasses at a Glance- Our achromatopsia glasses for kids are available in Toddler, Small, and Medium pediatric frame options.

Filter: NoIR 93
Lens Color: Deep Red
Visible Light Transmission: 6% VLT
Primary NoIR Use: Achromatopsia / Rod Monochromacy
Also Provides: Strong short-wavelength / blue-light blocking
Sizes: Toddler | Small | Medium
Frame Choices: #14 | #61 | KM | #0112 | #0102 | #0101 | #0100 | #41
Pediatric Fit-Over: Frame #41
Manufacturer: NoIR