Imagine looking at a sunset and not being able to distinguish some colors, or choosing clothes and not being sure how they go together. This is life for millions of people with color blindness, a visual disorder that alters color perception.
Although it is popularly associated with the inability to see red and green, various types and degrees affect the perception of millions of people around the world. This condition, which is not a disease, is mostly hereditary: it is transmitted through the X chromosome, which makes it more common in men (approximately 1 in 12) than in women (1 in 200).
The term color blindness originates from John Dalton, an 18th-century English chemist and physicist, who discovered that he himself could not distinguish some colors and was one of the first to study the condition. Interestingly, he discovered he was colorblind at the age of 26, after someone pointed it out to him.
Although there is currently no cure, people with colorblindness can lead completely normal lives, and technological advances have enabled tools that facilitate perception and adaptation to this visual condition.
Types of colorblindness and their impact on daily life
Color vision depends on cells in the retina called cones, which fire in different combinations to help the brain interpret a wide range of colors. In colorblind people, one or more types of cones do not function properly or are absent, which alters color perception:
- Deuteranopia: difficulty perceiving green.
- Protanopia: difficulty perceiving red.
- Tritanopia: difficulty perceiving blue.
- Monochromatism: black and white vision, very rare.
These differences affect everyday life more than meets the eye: choosing clothes, reading graphics, interpreting traffic signs, or cooking can be daily challenges for a colorblind person. Although colorblindness has no cure, technology has advanced significantly to improve the quality of life for those who suffer from it. Today, there are special lenses, mobile apps, and digital filters that allow for more accurate color identification and tailoring the visual experience to individual needs.
EnChroma glasses, for example, use a patented lens technology that allows people with colorblindness to see colors with greater clarity and vibrancy. These glasses are designed specifically for the most common types of color blindness, such as deuteranopia and protanopia. Studies have shown that more than 80% of users report a significant improvement in color perception when using these glasses.
Several mobile apps help people with color blindness identify colors in their environment. Color Blind Pal, for example, allows users to see the colors around them and also simulate how people with different types of color blindness perceive them. It also provides descriptive color names to facilitate color identification. Platforms such as Google and Instagram have implemented accessible modes and filters tailored to improve the experience for users with color vision differences:
- Google: Offers accessibility tools that allow users to adjust contrast and colors in its apps and services, making navigation easier for people with color blindness.
- Instagram: Has introduced filters and contrast adjustments that allow users to customize the appearance of images and improve color visibility according to their needs.
How is it detected?
To detect it, there's the Ishihara test, a quick and noninvasive test. It consists of slides with circles filled with dots of different colors and shades. Inside each circle is a number or figure made up of dots of a different color than the background. Those with normal vision easily distinguish them, while those with color blindness may not see them or confuse them. It's a useful tool in medical, school, and work settings.
Although color blindness may seem challenging, many people manage it normally and successfully. In fact, several famous color blind people inspire us:
- Mark Zuckerberg chose blue as Facebook's main color because it distinguishes it best.
- Keanu Reeves and Paul Newman both had brilliant careers despite difficulty perceiving certain colors.
- Vincent van Gogh likely suffered from color blindness, which may have influenced his particular use of color in his works.
- Christopher Nolan, Bill Clinton, Prince William, and Brian Chesky also live with this condition, each adapting in creative and successful ways.
Today is a good time to reflect on how we perceive the world, share information, and, above all, empathize with those who see it differently. Because the diversity of perceptions reminds us that every perspective is unique and valuable.
