Color blindness

Diagnosis

If you have trouble seeing certain colors, an eye care professional can test for a color deficiency. Testing likely involves a thorough eye exam and looking at specially designed pictures. These pictures are made of colored dots that have numbers or shapes in a different color hidden in them.

If someone has a color vision deficiency, they'll find it difficult or impossible to see some of the patterns in the dots.

Treatment

There are no treatments for most types of color vision difficulties, unless the color vision problem is related to the use of certain medicines or eye conditions. Stopping the medicine causing the vision problem or treating the underlying eye disease may result in better color vision.

Wearing a colored filter over eyeglasses or a colored contact lens may enhance perception of contrast between the confused colors. But such lenses won't improve the ability to see all colors.

Potential future treatments

Some rare retinal disorders associated with color deficiency could possibly be modified with gene replacement techniques. These treatments are under study. One treatment was approved for a rare condition called Leber congenital amaurosis, a retina condition that is present at birth. More treatments might become available in the future.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Try the following tips to help you work around your color blindness.

• Memorize the order of colored objects. If it's important to know individual colors, such as with traffic lights, memorize the order of the colors.
• Label colored items that you want to match with other items. Have someone with good color vision help you sort and label your clothing. Arrange your clothes in your closet or drawers so that colors that can be worn together are near each other.
• Use technology. There are apps for phones and tablets that can help you identify colors.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing someone on your primary healthcare team or make an appointment with an eye care professional who specializes in eye disorders (ophthalmologist or optometrist).

Preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time. For color blindness, some basic questions to ask include:

• How might having color deficiencies affect my life?
• Will color deficiencies affect my current or future occupation?
• Are there treatments for color blindness?
• Do you have any brochures or other printed materials I can have? What websites do you recommend?
• Are there special glasses or contact lenses I can wear to improve my color vision?

What to expect from your doctor

You'll likely be asked a few questions, such as:

• When did you first notice having trouble seeing certain colors?
• Does it affect one eye or both?
• Does anyone in your family (including parents and grandparents) have color blindness?
• Do you have any medical conditions?
• Are you exposed to chemicals in your workplace?
• Are you taking any medicines or supplements?