How to Cope With Color Blindness

Color blindness affects every facet of life for the individual who has the disability. There is no cure for color blindness and it's not indicative of a major illness. Learn to cope with color blindness and lead a safe and fulfilling life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Consult with an ophthalmologist, an eye specialist who can diagnose color blindness. He will perform a special test called the Ishihara Color Test to discover the degree of the condition.
2. Understand that the most common type of color blindness is the inability to distinguish between red and green or variations of these colors. Ninety-nine percent of color blind cases are red/green color deficient. The inability to discern between blue and yellow exists, but is not common. Complete color blindness is exceptionally rare.
3. Accept the fact that being color blind is a lifelong condition but there are ways to cope. Tinted eyewear helps to distinguish colors. Learn to tell colors apart in creative ways, such as by order. Color blind individuals can drive safely by remembering that on stop lights, red is the top color and green is the bottom color.
4. Recognize that certain jobs require vision that can distinguish colors. Police officers, pilots, interior designers and weather forecasters must be able to identify colors.
5. Know that different facets of life are affected by color blindness. It is difficult for a color blind person to match clothing, read road maps, choose colors for home decorating and know when meat is fully cooked. Caution lights in traffic situations can be dangerous for the person who can't tell if the light is flashing yellow or red. Find a trusted individual who can help you distinguish colors.
6. Educate children on being color blind. If your child is color blind, tell his teachers so they can assist him in the classroom. It is difficult for color blind people to read chalkboards.