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Colour Blindness
Colour blindness is difficulty telling certain colours apart, most often red and green. It is usually inherited, lifelong, and more common in men.
Causes & risk factors
- Inherited (genetic), most commonly affecting red-green vision
- Passed on through the X chromosome (more common in men)
- Certain eye or nerve diseases
- Some medicines
- Ageing
Common symptoms
- Difficulty telling red and green apart
- Confusing similar shades
- Trouble with colour-coded information
- Often unaware until tested
- Difficulty with blue-yellow in some types
Tests & diagnosis
- Ishihara colour vision test
- Eye examination
- Detailed colour vision tests
Treatment & management
- There is no cure for inherited colour blindness
- Learning to use labels, order and brightness cues
- Special tinted lenses may help some people
- Colour-identifying apps
- Treating any underlying eye disease if present
When to see a doctor urgently
- A sudden change in colour vision (get it checked)
- Colour problems with vision loss or eye pain
- A child struggling with colour-based schoolwork
- Colour vision needed for a job or driving
Not a diagnosis. MedDroid gives general educational information about colour blindness. It cannot examine you, diagnose or prescribe — always confirm with a qualified doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Can colour blindness be cured?
Inherited colour blindness cannot be cured, but most people adapt well. Sudden new colour problems, though, should be checked as they can point to an eye disease.
Why is it more common in men?
The most common types are carried on the X chromosome, so men, who have only one X, are affected far more often than women.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.