Colour blindness affects more people than you might assume. In fact, an estimated 300 million people globally have colour blindness, according to the Colour Blind Awareness organisation. This impairment often goes unnoticed, especially in mild cases, as individuals adapt without realising that their perception differs from others.How do you find out if you are colour-blind? Dr Joseph Allen, an optometrist based in Virginia, US, has shared a simple test that can help you figure it out. Before that, let’s understand what colour blindness is.
What is colour blindness?
Colour blindness is when you are unable to see colours in a normal way, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. It is also known as colour vision deficiency.Colour blindness often occurs when a person cannot distinguish between certain colours. This usually happens between greens and reds, and occasionally blues.According to the National Eye Institute, colour vision deficiency usually runs in families. There is no cure; however, special glasses and contact lenses can help people see differences between colours. Colour vision deficiency hardly affects everyday activities, so most people are unaware that they may have the condition.The most common type of colour blindness is when people struggle to tell red and green apart.
Symptoms
The symptoms of colour blindness may range from mild to severe. If you are colour-blind, you may struggle with the following:
- The difference between colours
- How bright colours are
- Different shades of colours
What are the causes of colour blindness ?
Most of the time, colour blindness is congenital, which means you are born with it. Other causes include:
- disease
- trauma
- toxic effects from drugs
- metabolic disease, or
- vascular disease
A simple test may help you find out
In a video shared on Instagram, the optometrist demonstrated a quick test that takes only a minute and may help you determine whether you are colour-blind. “This eye test uses Ishihara plates to challenge your colour vision, helping you discover if you are colour-blind. It’s a fun and informative way to assess colour blindness,” Allen said.Check out the test here:So what did you find out? Do you have colour vision deficiency? Let us know in the comments below if this test helped you. Also, don’t forget to share this with your friends and family. Sharing is caring.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.
