The Different Types of Colour Blindness

Colour blindness is a common deficiency that affects around 4.5% of the UK population. Because it’s such a common issue, you may know someone who is colour blind, and you, therefore, might have some understanding of all the different types of colour blindness. In the majority of cases, colour blindness is a genetic condition. However, you can also become colour blind as a result of other diseases such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. But did you know that there are in fact different types of colour blindness, and each one affects your vision in different ways?

A common misconception about being colour blind is that it simply means that you can’t see colour. Whilst there is a form of colour blindness that does result in vision being ‘black and white’, there are plenty of other types of colour blindness that affects the way people are able to pick out colours.

Red-Green Colour Blindness

This type of colour blindness means that it might be hard for you to tell the difference between red and green. This is also the most common type.

There are different terms depending on how severe the case of colour blindness is. For example, deuteranomaly is a less serious case of red-green colour blindness and makes green look redder. On the other hand, Protanomaly makes red look more green. In more severe cases, protanopia and deuteranopia both refer to when you are unable to tell the difference between red and green at all.

Blue-Yellow Colour Blindness

Being blue-yellow colour blind is a lot less common and there are two types of blue-yellow colour blindness. Tritanomaly means that you might find it difficult to tell the difference between blue and green, and yellow and red. Tritanopia makes it impossible for you to tell the difference between blue and green, purple and red, and yellow and pink.

Total Colour Blindness

Of course, it is possible to have vision completely void of colour and this is also called monochromacy. Depending on the severity of the case, you may also find that you have trouble seeing clearly and are more sensitive to light than most people.

Do you think you might be Colour Blind?

This really is a common problem that affects around 1 in 12 men. It is far less prevalent however and only affects 1 in 200 women.

Colour deficiency can also preclude you from certain careers where colour matching is important; such as the police force, some divisions of the armed services and being an electrician. At Focus Medical Eye Centre, we can test the colour vision of children and teenagers so we can advise about the impact of future career choices.

If you think you’re having problems with your vision and picking out colours, why not come and see us at Focus Medical Eye Centre. We’re based in Hailsham, and have patients all over East Sussex, including Heathfield, Horam, Herstmonceux, Polegate, Bexhill, and Pevensey. We can go through with you some colour blind tests to help understand if you are colour blind. Get in touch with us and book an appointment today on 01323 442 062, or downloading our app.