You are here


A DEFICIENCY IN COLOUR VISION

Colour-blind individuals find it difficult, or impossible, to see certain colours. Some can’t see colour at all, though this is rare.

WHY DOES
IT HAPPEN?

Colour blindness is often inherited, and present at birth.

Colour blindness could also be a symptom of other eye conditions, such as glaucomacataracts or Macular Degeneration. Diseases like multiple sclerosis and diabetes can also lead to colour deficiency. And changes to the vision that develop with age can affect colour perception.

How to spot itSufferers might find it difficult to distinguish between certain colours, for example, reds, oranges, yellows, greens and browns – most commonly, red and green appear the same. Colour-blind people may also struggle to tell the difference between paler and deeper shades.

Colour blindness can affect everyday tasks such as reading a map, re-wiring a plug or knowing when traffic lights have changed. It is therefore vital to be are aware if you are colour blind, to prevent accidents and learn how to manage the problem. The condition is usually identified using an Ishihara test, which consists of numbers inside circles made up of colourful dots.

TreatmentColour blindness cannot be reversed, but filters on glasses or tinted contact lenses can enhance the ability to distinguish between some colours. Speak to an eye care professional about managing the condition.

TESTING FOR
COLOUR BLINDNESS

The Ishihara colour test will be conducted by your optician and will test for red-green colour deficiencies. The test consists of a number of coloured plates each containing a circle of dots in an apparently random pattern. Within the pattern will be shapes or numbers made by the dots which will be clearly visible to those without colour blindness.

TESTING FOR
COLOUR BLINDNESS

The Ishihara colour test will be conducted by your optician and will test for red-green colour deficiencies. The test consists of a number of coloured plates each containing a circle of dots in an apparently random pattern. Within the pattern will be shapes or numbers made by the dots which will be clearly visible to those without colour blindness.

BOOK AN
EYE TEST

Contact your nearest optometrist