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Color blindness

Also called: Color blindness, color vision deficiency, red-green color blindness

Trouble telling certain colors apart, most often red and green. It's usually inherited, mostly in males, and doesn't get worse.

AffectsAbout 1 in 12 men, 1 in 200 women
TypeUsually red-green
CureNone; tools help

Overview

New color vision changes in an adult can be from eye disease and need a check.

Most color blindness is passed down through the X chromosome, so it's far more common in males.

People usually see colors, just not all of them the usual way.

Symptoms

Common signs:

  • Trouble telling colors apart

Less common

  • Trouble with traffic lights

Look up a symptom: Trouble seeing far away or reading up close

When to get medical care

Call 911This isn't an emergency by itself. Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain, or fainting.
Get care todaySudden color vision loss with eye pain.
See a doctor soonNew color changes.

Causes

Genes.

Does it spread or run in families?

  • It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

  • Males

Diagnosis

A color test checks it.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

  • Color plates:

Treatment

Use workarounds.

Self-care

  • Label clothes
  • Use color-blind phone settings
  • Use phone color filters

Prevention

To lower your risk or prevent problems:

  • There is no known way to prevent it. Early checkups help find it sooner.

Which doctor treats this

  • Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
  • They may send you to an optometrist or ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

Living with it

Support groups and helplines

Back to school, work, or sports

  • Most people keep up normal school and work. Rest when you need to.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

  • Boys: Much more common.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
  • Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
  • Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
  • Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Doesn't get worse.

It doesn't get worse and doesn't affect sharpness of vision.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

Questions to ask

  • Can my child be tested?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Color blindness

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-12.