Living with colour blindness, what you should know

MANY still mistakenly believe that colour blindness means seeing the world in black and white.

In truth, most individuals with this condition struggle to differentiate between specific colours, most commonly red and green or blue and yellow which can affect day-to-day tasks such as matching clothes, interpreting charts, or recognising traffic signals.

Medically referred to as colour vision deficiency, the condition arises when the cone cells in the retina, responsible for detecting colours, are absent, malfunctioning, or interpreting a different wavelength than usual.

According to the International Specialist Eye Centre (ISEC), these abnormalities are often hereditary and passed through the X chromosome, which explains why men are disproportionately affected. ISEC notes that most colour vision issues are present from birth and are genetic in origin.

Globally, approximately 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women are affected by some form of colour blindness, a statistic echoed by Colour Blind Awareness, which estimates around 300 million people worldwide live with the condition, roughly the population of the United States.

In the UK alone, nearly 3 million people have colour blindness, representing about 4.5 per cent of the population, with most being male.

While genetic cases dominate, colour blindness can also be acquired later in life. Factors such as eye diseases like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, exposure to certain chemicals, or side effects from specific medications may trigger the condition.

In these instances, the symptoms often appear suddenly or progressively worsen over time. According to the ISEC, there is currently no cure for inherited forms of colour vision deficiency.

However, certain acquired types often caused by underlying health issues can be managed or treated. One example is cataracts, which may gradually discolour the eye’s lens and impair colour perception. In such cases, removing the cataract can help restore normal colour vision.

While colour vision deficiency is not life-threatening, it can significantly affect various aspects of daily life. Learning difficulties, especially in early education where colours are commonly used as visual cues, are among the first challenges children may encounter.

Later in life, it can also influence career choices, particularly in professions that require accurate colour discrimination, such as graphic design, aviation, or electrical work.

Despite these challenges, many individuals with colour blindness adapt well. Over time, they often develop coping strategies, such as relying on labels, memory, position, or other non-colour cues to interpret their surroundings.

Assistive tools have also become more accessible. Colour-correcting glasses from brands like EnChroma and Pilestone offer enhanced colour perception for some, though results vary based on the severity and type of the condition.

Technological advancements are contributing to a more inclusive environment. Mobile applications, web design platforms, and digital interfaces are increasingly integrating colour blind-friendly features, including modes that adjust contrast and pattern use to convey information beyond just colour.

In the workplace, inclusive design practices such as using textures, labels, or clear shapes alongside colours are helping create more accessible and efficient environments for colour blind individuals.

With growing awareness, there is a stronger push for a world that recognises and accommodates colour vision diversity—ensuring that everyone, regardless of how they perceive colour, can fully engage with the world around them.