Colour blindness

What is colour blindness?

Colour blindness is a condition where someone is unable to see certain colours, or they see them in a different way to other people. It's also known as colour vision deficiency.

Most of us are able to see around one million different shades of colour. But if you're colour blind, you might only be able to see around 100,000. This means you might not be able to tell the difference between some colours, or you might see them as being darker or lighter than they actually are.

What causes colour blindness?

There are different types of colour blindness, and each one has a different cause. The most common type is called inherited colour blindness, which is where the condition is passed down from your parents.

Other types of colour blindness can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or glaucoma. ageing can also lead to colour vision deficiency, as can exposure to certain chemicals.

How is colour blindness diagnosed?

If you think you or your child might be colour blind, the best thing to do is to see an optician. They will be able to carry out some simple tests to find out if you're colour blind, and what type of colour blindness you have.

There's no cure for colour blindness, but there are things that can help. For example, specialised glasses or contact lenses can make some colours easier to see. And there are some apps that can help too.

If you're worried about your child's colour vision, speak to their teacher or GP. They might be able to offer some advice, or refer you to an optician if they think it's necessary.

What are the symptoms of colour blindness?

The symptoms of colour blindness can vary depending on the type of condition you have. But generally, people with colour blindness will find it difficult to tell the difference between certain colours.

For example, you might not be able to tell the difference between red and green, or blue and purple. You might also find it difficult to see colours in low light, or you might see colours as being darker or lighter than they actually are.

How common is colour blindness?

Colour blindness is a relatively common condition. Around one in every 12 men and one in every 200 women are affected by it. It's also more common in people with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes.

What support and therapies are available for colour blindness?

There's no cure for colour blindness, but there are things that can help. For example, specialised glasses or contact lenses can make some colours easier to see. And there are some apps that can help too.

If your child is diagnosed with colour blindness, there are a few things you can do to help them. For example, you could:

• Talk to their school or nursery about what support they might need. For example, they might find it helpful to sit at the front of the class so they can see the board more easily.
• Encourage them to take part in activities that don't rely on being able to see colours, such as listening to music or playing sports.
• Make sure they eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep. This will help them to concentrate and learn more easily.
• Talk to an optician about specialised glasses or contact lenses that might help them to see colours more clearly.
• Look for apps that can help them to distinguish between colours.

What financial support is available in Australia for a child with colour blindness?

At the moment, there is no specific financial support available in Australia for children with colour blindness. However, there are a number of organisations that can offer advice and support, such as the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and Colour Blind Awareness. You may also be able to get help from your child's school or early childhood education centre.