Frequently Asked Questions ( Click on the Questions below for the Answers )
- Is there a way that someone who is color normal can become color deficient?
- Yes, There are congenital color vision deficiencies (you are born with it) and acquired color vision deficiencies. Acquired color vision deficiencies can be due to ocular or systemic diseases (diabetes, cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, etc.), toxicity of medications (Plaquenil, antidepressants like Prozac, oral contraceptives like Nolvadex, etc.), occupational exposures, and trauma of the eye or head.
- How can a color deficient person pass a color vision test?
- Tinted lenses, reportedly for colorblindness, have been used for years. Dr. Azman created and developed the ColorCorrection SystemT, color-tinted lenses that can be prescribed for glasses or contacts. Even though we have not done extensive research into the subject matter, Dr. Azman is an expert in the color vision correction field and can help you with your questions. His website is www.ColorMax.org.
We do know that wearing these color-tinted lenses will allow you to pass pseudo-isochromatic color vision tests. There may be some occupations that allow you to use these lenses to pass the test and work within that organization and industry.
- How do people get a color vision deficiency?
Most people are born with it (congenital). The most common forms of congenital defective color vision, the red-green deficiencies, are due to sex-linked X chromosomes and simple recessive hereditary traits. Men are mainly affected because women have two X chromosomes and men have only one X and a Y chromosome. If a man's one X chromosome is color defective he will be color deficient, where as , a woman must inherit two color defective X chromosomes to be color deficient. For a woman to be color deficient, her father must be colorblind and her mother colorblind or be a carrier. All possible patterns of inheritance of any one of these color defects are shown here:
A color-defective male always inherits his deficiency from his mother, who usually has normal color vision and is therefore a carrier of the defect. She may have received her color-deficiency gene from either her father (but only if he was color defective), or from her mother (who could have been a carrier herself, or rarely, who was color-defective).
- What treatments are available for color vision deficiency?
- To my knowledge, congenital (you're born with it) colorblindness is permanent and there is no genetic cure. For the future, there has been some interesting research into gene therapy as a cure http://www.neitzvision.com/content/genetherapy.html.
Many people have asked if colored/tinted lenses can correct a color vision deficiency. Wearing prescribed colored/tinted lenses will allow people with color vision deficiencies to pass a pseudo-isochromatic test, which is the test provided on TestingColorVision.com. It is sometimes referred to as the Ishihara Color Plate Test but its correct name is pseudo-isochromatic color vision test. It has been said that wearing these prescribed colored/tinted lenses will allow a color vision deficient individual to correctly pick colors in occupational fields that either recommend or require normal color vision such as electronics, law enforcement, graphic and fine arts, and engineering. One of the most well known experts in the field of colored/tinted lenses is Dr. Thomas Azman, who created and developed the ColorCorrection SystemT. You can visit his site at www.ColorMax.org.
- Can women suffer from color vision deficiencies?
- Yes, women can suffer from color vision deficiencies. Eight percent (varies depending on the study you quote) of the men and 0.5% of the women in the world are born color deficient. That's as high as one out of twelve men and one out of two hundred women.
The commonest forms of congenital defective color vision, the red-green deficiencies, are due to "sex-linked X chromosomes" and "simple recessive hereditary traits". Men are mainly affected because women have two X chromosomes and men have only one X and a Y chromosome. If a man's one X chromosome is color defective, he will be color deficient, where as a woman must inherit two color defective X chromosomes to be color deficient. For a woman to be color deficient, her father must be colorblind and her mother must be colorblind or a carrier.
- Who should be tested for color vision deficiencies?
- All children should have their color vision tested "before" they start school. Also, it would be helpful for people who are going into occupations where normal color vision is required to perform the job or public safety is involved - for example pilots, air traffic controllers, school bus drivers, some law enforcement personnel, electricians, electronic technicians, railroad conductors, dental lab technicians, etc.
- How do color deficient people see the world?
- The majority of color deficient people see the world in color also, just in slightly different shades. Click here to see How Color Deficient People See the World
- How do color deficient people cope with having a color vision deficiency?
- Every color vision deficient individual has their own technique of coping with having a color vision deficiency. As someone who is color deficient, here are some of my tactics:
- When approaching a traffic light, I don't look at the color but where the light is located.
- When dressing myself, I get someone's advice on whether an outfit matches or not. I then wear that set of clothing every time instead of mixing and matching shirts and pants.
- When having to color code things for either school or work, I make sure to read the labels on the pens or colored pencils.
- When cooking food that needs to be thoroughly cooked through, I usually have these food items timed for how long it should be cooked on the grill or oven. If I don't know how long it should be cooked for, then I look it up online. When in doubt of whether the food is ready, I ask someone with normal color vision.
- How can teachers help color deficient students?
The below suggestions are by Molly Carter.Step 1
Use white chalk on the chalkboard. Although some teachers prefer yellow or pink chalk, against a green chalkboard, these colors are sometimes hard for a colorblind child to see, especially if there is a glare. Always use white chalk.Step 2
Xerox all textbook and educational items that are colored in black and white. Although a child cannot separate the items on paper, by copying them in black and white they will be able to see all the different sections properly. Always Xerox on white paper.Step 3
Teach colorblind students the colors of common items. Oranges are orange. The sun is yellow. Although the student will not be able to see the differences, they will have a frame of reference when people are discussing colors.Step 4
Be patient with colorblind students on classroom activities. It's easy to get frustrated or think a child is not trying when they guess on certain activities. If a child has not been diagnosed, yet you see them panicking when asked to work with pie charts or color coded maps, insist that child be tested for color blindness.Step 5
Stop color-coding items, or write the color below it. Do not use color-coding for paperwork, classroom items, or on homework or testing. If you do, write the color below.Step 6
Help a child with standardized tests. Standardized tests are not colorblind friendly. If there are charts or color-coded items, write out the colors below the appropriate colors so the child will not be at a disadvantage.Step 7
Label all craft items that have color like markers, crayons and paper. So the child will not fall behind in art, or struggle, make sure everything is appropriately marked.Step 8
Teach what colorblindness is. Children who do not suffer from colorblindness will have a hard time understanding what it is. There are tests you can use to show a child how things look to a child that sees normally versus a child that cannot see all colors properly.