Color Blindness

Summary

Most of us see our world in color. We enjoy looking at a lush green lawn or a red rose in full bloom. If you have a color vision defect, you may see these colors differently than most people.

There are three main kinds of color vision defects. Red-green color vision defects are the most common. This type occurs in men more than in women. The other major types are blue-yellow color vision defects and a complete absence of color vision.

Most of the time, color blindness is genetic. There is no treatment, but most people adjust and the condition doesn’t limit their activities.

National Eye Institute

Specifics

• Achromatopsia American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus

Genetics

• Achromatopsia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Color vision deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Find an Expert

• American Optometric Association American Optometric Association
• Find an Ophthalmologist American Academy of Ophthalmology
• National Eye Institute National Eye Institute

Children

• Ask a Scientist: What Is Color Blindness? National Eye Institute

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Color Vision Defects National Institutes of Health

Start Here

• Color Blindness National Eye Institute
• What Is Color Blindness? American Academy of Ophthalmology

Patient Handouts

• Color blindness Medical Encyclopedia
• Color vision test Medical Encyclopedia

Statistics and Research

• Eye Health Data and Statistics National Eye Institute
• Testing Children for Color Blindness American Academy of Ophthalmology

Journal Articles

• Color Blindness