Colour Deficiency

Learn more about one of the most common genetic eye condition.

Patients with colour deficiency cannot distinguish colours or shades correctly. This is more common in males. Colour deficiency is normally inherited, but can also be a result of ocular diseases, side effect of medications or trauma.

There are three types of colour deficiency: two forms of red--green deficiency and one form of blue--yellow deficiency. Red-green deficiencies are more common and are usually inherited. These patients are unable to distinguish between some shades of reds, browns, oranges, and pinks, or greens and blues. Blue-yellow deficiency is more rare and is usually due to damage to the optic nerve. These patients are unable to distinguish some shades of blue and yellow. Patients who are truly colour blind sees the world only in shades of black, white and grey.

At Lumina Eye Care, we screen every child for colour deficiency. Currently there is no cure for colour deficiency. However, it would be valuable to know if a patient has this condition because it may affect career options as certain jobs such as pilots, police officers, and electricians require the ability to distinguish colours.