Question: Do color blind people really see only black and white?
My son has been diagnosed with color blindness. Is it true that people who are color blind can only see black and white?
Answer: The term "color blindness" confuses many people. The topic of color blindness is fascinating because of its complexity. Many people believe that anyone labeled as "color blind" is only able to see the colors of black and white. However, it is extremely rare to be totally color blind. Although there are exceptions, most patients affected by color blindness are able to see colors other than black and white -- they just perceive them in a different way. Color blind people seem to have trouble differentiating colors and may simply confuse one color with another.
Color blindness is often inherited, but may also occur because of eye, nerve, or brain damage, or from exposure to certain chemicals. Although it is not usually labeled as an extremely debilitating condition, color blindness often causes frustration to people affected by it.
Although your son's diagnosis may be alarming, the sooner color blindness is detected, the better. Early diagnosis is crucial in preventing possible learning difficulties at school. Your son's teacher should be notified of the color blindness so adjustments can be made.
