What is color blindness?
If you have color blindness (color vision deficiency), it means you see colors differently than most people. Most of the time, color vision deficiency makes it hard to tell the difference between certain colors.
Usually, color vision deficiency runs in families. There’s no cure, but special glasses and contact lenses can help people see differences between colors. Most people who have color vision deficiency don’t have problems with everyday activities.
Causes of color vision deficiency
It’s not known exactly what causes color vision deficiency, but it’s thought to be a problem with the signals from your eyes to your brain.
It can be passed on in families and some people are born with it.
Color vision deficiency can also sometimes be caused by:
- eye conditions, such as glaucoma
- other conditions such as diabetes, liver disease and multiple sclerosis
- an eye or head injury
- a stroke
- taking certain medicines
Color blindness usually doesn’t mean you can’t see any colors. The vast majority of people with color blindness see a range of colors, but they see some colors differently than others do. They may also have trouble telling the difference between certain colors or shades. Some very rare forms of color blindness make a person unable to see any colors.
What is the treatment for color blindness?
Currently, there’s no medical treatment or cure for people with inherited color blindness. If you have acquired color blindness, your healthcare provider will treat the underlying condition or adjust your medications as needed. This may help improve your color vision.
You may have heard of color-blindness glasses. Such glasses may provide a richer color experience for people with mild forms of anomalous trichromacy. The glasses enhance the contrast between colors so people with color vision deficiency can see the differences more clearly.
If you or your child has color blindness, it’s important to learn the type and severity. Talk to an eye care provider (optometrist or ophthalmologist) about the nature of the condition and how it may affect you.
