Md Saifuddin Ahmed dreamed of turning true into a pilot from a younger age. In 2019, after finishing his HSC tests, he joined Galaxy Flying Academy to pursue that dream. But after passing all the required tests, he became devastated when the medical exam printed he became colour blind.
His dream of hovering thru the skies became lickety-split grounded.
But Saif didn’t let despair take over. Obvious to originate lifestyles more uncomplicated for others admire him, he devoted himself to serving to the colour-blind understand the sector in brilliant hues.
Saif launched into extensive analysis to fancy colour blindness. To equip himself better for this mission, he enrolled within the Department of Pharmacy at North South College. After years of effort, in 2022, Saif created ‘Vibrant’ glasses — specialised eyewear that enables colour-blind contributors to understand colours precisely. Apart from to the glasses, he also developed contact lenses and cell show conceal conceal protectors utilizing the identical know-how.
Globally, over 30 million persons are colour blind, with 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 ladies folk being stricken by the condition. Opposite to the popular misconception, colour blindness does no longer indicate seeing most efficient in shades of gray. About 95% of colour-blind contributors war with distinguishing between red and green, while 5% earn set apart with blue and yellow. Excellent a few — 1 in 30,000 — understand no colour in any appreciate.
In Bangladesh, awareness about colour blindness remains scarce. Many most efficient be taught of their condition thru medical examinations, true as Saif did.
The likelihood of colour blindness
Color blindness is no longer curable. The human seek perceives colour thru cells within the retina known as cone cells. When these cells arrangement no longer procedure properly — most regularly attributable to genetic elements — the flexibility to contemplate explicit colours diminishes.
After finding out he became colour blind in 2019, Saif sought medication from a amount of medical doctors nevertheless stumbled on no resolution. The emotional toll became excessive, requiring him to seek the recommendation of psychiatrists. Gradually, Saif stumbled on the strength to focal point on a recent procedure and enrolled into university.
Saif became impressed by the contribution of pharmacists throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. “Pharmacists performed a predominant role within the advance of vaccines and medicine. Though most regularly underappreciated, their work makes groundbreaking inclinations that it is doubtless you’ll doubtless imagine. I realised that pursuing pharmacy might seemingly wait on me make contributions to fixing challenges confronted by the colour-blind,” he shared.
The invention of ‘Vibrant’ glasses
The notion of glasses for the colour blind is no longer fully recent. In 2000, American scientist Dr Don McPherson developed glasses with specialised lenses for surgeons, which also allowed colour-blind contributors to contemplate some colours. Later, in 2010, the American label EnChroma launched glasses with developed filter lenses for colour-blind customers.
Whereas EnChroma glasses gained recognition in Europe and The US, Saif wanted to accomplish an cheap quite a lot of tailored for Bangladesh.
“The payment of EnChroma glasses range between $250 and $500 (Tk30,000–60,000), which is unaffordable for most. My glasses are priced at true Tk3,000–4,000,” Saif explained.
Whereas researching for Vibrant, Saif surveyed his classmates to contemplate how many were colour blind. In true 40 minutes, he identified six contributors who didn’t know they were colour blind. This highlighted the dearth of early prognosis and awareness.
Saif emphasised the importance of checking out. “Color blindness might seemingly furthermore be identified thru the Ishihara take a look at, developed by Japanese doctor Shinobu Ishihara. In Bangladesh, this take a look at ought to be integrated into predominant training to be obvious early detection.”
After three years of trial and mistake, Saif successfully developed Vibrant glasses in 2022. Two years later, he launched contact lenses and cell show conceal conceal protectors utilizing the identical system.
The science gradual Vibrant
When requested about the introduction project, Saif printed, “I arrangement no longer earn the developed equipment that optical retail outlets arrangement. I rely on total tools: a drill machine, some clamps, and colour-coating offers from Used Dhaka. The entirety is handmade, and I most regularly must launch over if the glass breaks.”
The innovation lies in Vibrant’s colour coating, made by blending red, blue, and green pigments. Saif immerses the tinted lenses in sizzling water to originate the colors everlasting. The explicit ratios and tactics remain a closely guarded secret.
The exercise of the identical system, Saif also developed show conceal conceal protectors and call lenses. Whereas 80% of his customers earn the support of accepted Vibrant lenses, the closing 20% require custom lenses tailored to their explicit wants.
One customer from Qatar, a expert driver, shared his narrative with Saif. Unable to pass the Ishihara take a look at required for his job, he sought wait on from Vibrant. The glasses allowed him to advance to Qatar and resume work.
Beyond earnings
Saif prioritises these in urgent need, equivalent to contributors stuck in tests or job processes attributable to colour blindness. Whereas Vibrant has but to develop true into a huge-scale exchange, its influence extends past Bangladesh, with customers from India, South Africa, and the Center East.
By wearing Vibrant glasses or lenses, many earn cleared tests, secured jobs within the garment and merchandise industries, and reclaimed opportunities previously out of reach.
Despite Vibrant’s success although, Saif’s stir has no longer been easy. “No one supported me first and essential — no longer even my family. Their lack of encouragement tranquil haunts me, although they toughen me now,” he mirrored.
Saif might seemingly also be exploring other pharmaceutical improvements. He recently developed a speedy-motion effervescent paracetamol tablet for fever and pain. Moreover, he’s working on a dengue vaccine, which he says has proven promising outcomes.
Though he’s tickled with Vibrant’s recent mannequin, Saif wishes of turning true into a paunchy-fledged scientist. He believes that with upright institutional toughen, Vibrant might seemingly elevate Bangladesh’s medical exchange to world prominence
