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| - Last Updated on July 25, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
A viral social media video suggests that failing a colour blindness test indicates weak eyesight. The video features the Ishihara colour blindness test and claims that failure to recognise the numbers indicates poor eyesight. We fact-checked and found that this assertion is mostly false.
The Claim
According to a social media post, failing a colour blindness test indicates poor eyesight. It features the Ishihara colour plate test and claims that if you are unable to identify the numbers in the colour plates it can be a sign of weak eyesight.
Fact Check
What is the Ishihara test for colour blindness?
The Ishihara test is a way to check if someone has colour blindness. It uses pictures made of dots in different colours. People with normal colour vision can see numbers or patterns in the pictures. But if someone has colour blindness, they might not see the numbers or might see different ones. This test helps doctors find out if someone has trouble seeing certain colours.
Is it true that a colour blind person will have a weak eyesight?
No, it’s not necessarily true that a colour blind person will have weak eyesight. Colour blindness means someone can’t see certain colours the same way others do. It’s not about how well they see overall. They might have perfect eyesight otherwise, just with trouble telling certain colours apart.
Coming to the claim video, it lacks medical expertise, as the video features a maths and logical reasoning teacher Vedant sir. He is not qualified to provide health related advice. The Ishihara colour plate test for colour blindness is used universally but it does not necessarily indicate that you have bad eyesight if you failed the colour blindness test. You can have colour blindness and not have the need to wear glasses, or you can have colour blindness and optical defects too (myopia, hypermetropia).
In one of the claims, it is said that blue Light from Electronic gadgets are cause of deteriorating eye health and eventually leading to blindness.
We approached Dr Trushna Desai (MBBS, MS Ophthalmology) for her expert opinion on colour blindness and visual acuity. She says, “When there’s an issue like optic neuritis which means inflammation of the optic nerve, causing problems with your eyes, both your ability to see clearly (we call it visual acuity) and how you see colours can be affected. However, if it’s something you’ve had since birth, like red-green colour blindness, your ability to see clearly might be just fine, even though you struggle with those particular colours. For any vision concerns I advise you to consult an ophthalmologist for effective and safe treatment.”
We also sought the opinion of Dr Isha Agarwalla (MBBS, MS Ophthalmology). She says, “Failing a colour blind test means you have difficulty in distinguishing certain colours, which doesn’t directly correlate with weak eyesight. Colour blindness is typically related to differences in how the eye perceives light, not the overall strength of vision. However, it’s always a good idea to get a comprehensive eye exam if you have concerns about your vision.”
What are the causes of colour blindness?
Colour blindness, also known as colour vision deficiency, can primarily be caused by various factors. The most common form is a genetic condition called congenital red–green colorblindness, which includes protan (makes certain shades of green look more red) and deutan types (makes certain shades of red look more green). This condition affects up to 1 in 12 males (8%) and approximately 1 (actually 0.8, rounded off to 1) in 200 females (0.4%). The prevalence is higher in males because the responsible opsin genes are located on the X chromosome. Other rare genetic conditions causing colour blindness include congenital blue–yellow colour blindness (tritan type), blue cone monochromacy, and achromatopsia.
Apart from genetic factors, colour blindness can also result from physical or chemical damage to the eye, the optic nerve, parts of the brain, or from medication toxicity. Additionally, age-related changes can cause a natural degradation of colour vision over time. Conditions such as age-related macular degeneration or certain types of glaucoma can affect colour perception.
Furthermore, certain medical conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease can also lead to colour vision deficiency as a secondary effect of the underlying condition or its treatment.
What are the symptoms of colour blindness?
Colour vision deficiency presents its main symptom as a deviation from the typical perception of colours. Individuals with this condition often struggle to spot the difference between colours, gauge the brightness of colours, and distinguish between various shades. Despite these challenges, symptoms can be subtle, making them difficult to detect. Consequently, many individuals may not even be aware of their condition. However, individuals tend to adapt to these differences in colour perception over time. In severe cases of colour vision deficiency, additional symptoms may manifest, such as rapid side-to-side eye movements, known as nystagmus, or heightened sensitivity to light. These secondary symptoms can further impact the individual’s visual experience, emphasising the range of effects associated with colour vision deficiency.
How can colour blindness affect your life?
Colour blindness can affect daily life in various ways. It might make it challenging to distinguish between certain colours, like red and green, which can be important in tasks such as driving or choosing ripe fruits. Some jobs, like those in graphic design or electrical wiring, may require accurate colour vision. Additionally, colour-blind individuals may face difficulties with activities like reading colour-coded maps or understanding signals. While it doesn’t typically impact overall vision, it can require extra attention and accommodations in certain situations.
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