People who have CVD will confuse some colours and they will not see some colours as brightly as people with normal vision.

CVD is often inherited and affects more males than females. Out of 20 males, it is likely that one or two will have a colour vision problem.

Are you colour blind or do know anyone who is colour blind?

My brother and my male cousin are colour blind; my Grandfather was also. I never saw my brother as different to me or incapable of something - to me, he was the opposite! Every family is different and has a story and this is mine. 

My brother has a red–green colour vision deficiency. These are the the most common inherited type of CVD occurring in about 8% of males and only about 0.4% of females. There is also a blue colour vision deficiency which is more rare and effects male and females equally, and also the most rare, Monochromacy in which the person cannot distinguish any colours and will only see in shades of grey. 

All through our childhood, there were moments that felt normal to my brother and I, but I’m sure from an outsiders view would have seemed unusual. For instance, colouring in together consisted of my brother holding pens or pencils up and asking, “Is this red?”, “Is this Green?”. Between you and I, just for fun I would tell him the wrong answer sometimes. I also had to join him on shopping trips sometimes to ensure he purchased that red tie for work, or that he did in fact buy a green T-Shirt. 

When it came to deciding his future career path as a teenager, a few career prospects were already cancelled out for him due to his colour blindness. Common occupations that may have colour vision requirements include:

• Police force
• Maritime careers (while having colour vision deficiency does not prevent people from obtaining a recreational boat licence, it may affect your application for employment in maritime roles) 
• Defence Force 

In Australia, it is possible for people with colour vision deficiency to become Pilots, Electricians, or commercial drivers, however there are some restrictions in other countries. My brother decided to go on and study a bachelor degree in Geo Science.

If you feel your son or daughter may have a colour vision deficiency please make an appointment to see one of our friendly Optometrists for a few simple colour tests. For more information about CVD, click here. 



Penny Patterson-Kane

Optical Dispenser