Whether inherited or acquired, colour blindness challenges how we interact with a world designed for full-spectrum vision.
In the vibrant world we live in, riotous colours are a visual feast for the eyes, whether we notice it or not. But they also play a significant role in our everyday lives, influencing our perceptions, behaviour, and even our mood.
So what if we couldn’t see colour quite the right way?
A Different Way of Seeing the World
Colour blindness, or colour vision deficiency, is a condition many of us are, admittedly, quite fascinated by, but tend to have a lot of misconceptions about.
So let’s set the record straight.
For one, most who are colour blind don’t actually see in black and white.
However, it does mean that their ability to distinguish colours accurately is compromised, and this comes down to which part of their eye is affected.
Cones, which can be found over the retina of the eye, are photoreceptor cells responsible for detecting different colours in light—red, green and blue—and encoding it into a message sent to our brain that will enable us to perceive more complex colours.
But if the cones aren’t functioning properly, or even missing, this can lead to the development of diffrent types of colour vision deficiency:
- Red-green colour blindness: This is actually the most common type, and makes it difficult for individuals to distinguish between red and green.
- Blue-yellow colour blindness: This affects the ability to differentiate between blue and yellow.
- Achromatopsia: Also known as monochromacy, this is the rarest yet most popularised form of colour blindness, where individuals are unable to perceive colour at all because none of the cones work, thus seeing in shades of grey.
The fact that colours mix also adds to the confusion, so someone with red-green colour vision deficiency might have difficulty differentiating dark brown with dark orange, and someone else with blue-yellow colour vision deficiency might not be able to tell purple and red apart. It can depend on the severity of the condition.
But how could we develop any of these deficiencies in the first place?
What Causes Colour Blindness?
Genetics
More often than not, colour blindness is inherited, passed on by genetic mutations on the X chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome, they are more likely to inherit it.
But it doesn’t mean only men can be colour blind—that’s another misconception.
Nevertheless, it is quite rare for women to get this condition.
“While women have two X chromosomes, if one carries the gene for colour blindness, the other usually compensates,” explained Dr Fatin Nadia Zamawi, a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Columbia Asia Hospital, in Sinar Daily.
“For a woman to be colour blind, she must inherit the faulty gene from both parents, which is uncommon.”
Diseases
There are diseases that can damage your retina, thus leading to colour blindness.
For instance, eye diseases like glaucoma, which causes pressure to build up in the eye, can injure the optic nerve, and endanger your ability to identify colour.
Other diseases, such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis, or those impacting the brain may also compromise this ability.
Other Factors
There are other ways you can acquire colour blindness.
For example, certain medications, including antibiotic ethambutol, which is used in the treatment of tuberculosis, can cause changes in vision.
For some of us, we might just gradually lose our colour vision as a result of ageing.
The Challenges of Seeing in Limited Colour
Whether we realise it or not, most activities rely on colour perception, so when you’re unable to correctly identify certain colours, life can get a little more trying.
In school, students with colour vision deficiency can flounder with simple tasks such as interpreting colour-coded information on charts, maps and diagrams – and may not even understand why, due to a lack of awareness on their condition.
This can act as a major hindrance to academic progress. Beyond that, it can also engender a sense of shame or isolation, as these students feel they are not able to fully engage in activities that rely on colour, that their peers seem to be able to perform with ease.
But the social struggles don’t end in their school years.
As an adult, colour blindness can influence your working life too.
“Individuals with colour blindness have limitations in professional careers which require high colour precision such as pilots and electricians,” highlighted Dr Fatin.
This means they’ll need to look at other career paths. They may also have to find alternative methods for overcoming any obstacles they would face when it comes to carrying out work in their chosen field.
Finding Ways to Adapt
When you’re unable to colour-match clothes or navigate traffic signals with aplomb, being colour blind isn’t just a frustrating affair, it can become dangerous.
While those who have lost their colour vision due to an underlying health problem have hope of regaining it by addressing the issue, there is no actual cure for colour blindness, especially for those who have inherited it.
However, technological advances today have provided options for those with colour blind deficiency to adapt, including special glasses to increase colour contrast, and visual aids.
“They can use technology such as colour identification apps like Color Mate, Seeing AI, or Chromatic Glass, which use the phone camera to name colours,” said Dr Fatin.
There are also simpler strategies for coping with colour blindness. This includes making use of labelling systems to organise colours, be it for your clothes or other effects, or relying more on your other senses to guide you.
“Memorisation and pattern recognition play crucial roles as well. Some individuals learn specific shapes or textures to distinguish items, such as memorising button placements or clothing tags,” she added.
It is possible to lead fulfilling lives even with colour blindness. Simply have an open mindset, embrace adaptive strategies, and seek support from family and friends whenever needed.
And if you’ve got a little difficulty seeing colours, it just means that you’re able to perceive the world in your own unique way.
External References
- Brazier, Y. (2025, March 31). What are the different types of color blindness? Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-color-blindness
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, May 6). Photoreceptors (Rods and Cones). Retrieved from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/photoreceptors-rods-and-cones
- Felman, A. (2024, July 5). What accommodations are there for color vision deficiency? Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/color-blindness-treatment
- Felman, A. (2024, July 19). Is it possible for people to develop color blindness later in life? Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-you-develop-color-blindness
- Lockett, E. (2023, July 26). What Do Colorblind People See? Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/eye-health/what-do-colorblind-people-see
- National Eye Institute. (2025, January 30). Causes of Color Vision Deficiency. Retrieved from: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/color-blindness/causes-color-vision-deficiency
- O’Connell, K. (2019, December 24). What You Need to Know About Color Blindness. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/color-blindness
- Shahirah, S. (2025, April 12). Colourblindness among students is often overlooked in classrooms, what needs to change? Sinar Daily. Retrieved from: https://www.sinardaily.my/article/717769/culture/health/colourblindness-among-students-is-often-overlooked-in-classrooms-what-needs-to-change
- Shahirah, S. (2025, April 12). Colour blindness: Myths, genetics and gender factor. Sinar Daily. Retrieved from: https://www.sinardaily.my/article/717790/culture/health/colour-blindness-myths-genetics-and-gender-factor
