Colour vision deficiency - Treating colour vision deficiency

There's currently no cure for inherited colour vision deficiency.

This is because it isn't yet possible to replace the faulty light-sensitive cells or missing photopigments in the retina that are responsible for accurately recognising colour. The retina is the light-sensitive layer of cells that lines the inside of the back of the eye.

Colour vision deficiency won't usually cause any long-term health problems and treatment isn't essential to lead a normal, healthy life.

Compensating and adapting

Most people with colour vision deficiency learn to adapt and find ways of compensating for the problems they have identifying or distinguishing colours.

For example, you may be able to:

• ask friends or family members to help you choose clothes and other coloured items – this is particularly important if you have severe colour vision deficiency
• install good quality lighting in your home and workplace to help you distinguish colours 
• make teachers aware that your child has difficulty identifying and distinguishing between different colours so that learning materials can be adapted accordingly

Tinted contact lenses

Tinted contact lenses that you wear in one eye are available on prescription to help you distinguish colours more easily.

However, they only work for some people and they can affect your ability to judge distances and depth. They also often reduce the intensity of lights you can see.

Other eye conditions

Most cases of colour vision deficiency are inherited, but your ability to perceive colours may be affected by an underlying eye condition.

If you have problems distinguishing colours, it's important that you visit your GP or optometrist (eye specialist) so they can determine what's causing your colour vision deficiency.

If an underlying eye condition is the cause, your colour vision deficiency may be improved if the condition can be treated.

Some types of medication may also make it difficult for you to distinguish between colours. If this is the case, you might be prescribed an alternative medicine.

However, never stop taking prescribed medication unless you're specifically advised to do so by your GP or another healthcare professional responsible for your care.