The color blind test is a simple way to check if someone has trouble seeing colors the way most people do. Many people call this condition color blindness, but doctors often say color vision deficiency because most people can still see some colors, just not all of them clearly. A color blind test helps find out if you or someone else has this issue. It is quick, easy, and can even be done at home.

What Is Color Blindness?

Color blindness means a person has a hard time telling some colors apart. It is not true blindness. No one sees only black and white, except in very rare cases. Most people with color blindness see the world in colors, but reds and greens look similar, or blues and yellows get mixed up.

This happens because of the eyes. In the back of the eye, there are special cells called cones. These cones help us see colors. There are three types: one for red, one for green, and one for blue. If one or more cones do not work right or are missing, colors look different.

Most color blindness is something people are born with. It comes from genes, and it is more common in boys and men. About 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of it. It can also happen later in life from eye problems, medicines, or injuries, but that is less common.

Common Symptoms of Color Blindness

Many people do not know they have color blindness until they take a color blind test. The signs are often mild. You might:

• Mix up red and green, like thinking a red apple looks brown or green.
• Have trouble with traffic lights or colored maps.
• See colors as dull or less bright.
• Find it hard to tell shades of the same color apart.
• Struggle with clothes that match, like picking socks that do not go together.

Kids might notice it in school when coloring or reading color-coded books. Adults might see it when driving or working with colors.

If you think you have these issues, a color blind test is a good first step.

Types of Color Blindness

There are a few main types of color blindness. The most common ones affect red and green.

Red-green color blindness is the top type. It includes:

• Deuteranomaly (green-weak): The most common one. Green looks more red, and colors seem less bright.
• Protanomaly (red-weak): Red looks greener and darker.
• Deuteranopia: No green cones at all, so red and green look the same.
• Protanopia: No red cones, so reds look dark.

Blue-yellow color blindness is rarer. It makes blue and green or yellow and red hard to tell apart.

• Tritanomaly: Mild version.
• Tritanopia: Full version, very rare.

Complete color blindness (achromatopsia) is extremely rare. The person sees only in black, white, and gray. They also have other eye issues, like light sensitivity.

Red-green types are passed down in families, mostly to boys from their mothers.

The Most Popular Color Blind Test: Ishihara Test

The Ishihara test is the best-known color blind test. A Japanese eye doctor named Shinobu Ishihara created it over 100 years ago. It is still used by eye doctors today.

How it works: The test shows circles made of many colored dots. Inside each circle, there is a number or shape made of dots in a different color. If you have normal color vision, you see the number clearly. If you have color blindness, the number might be hard to see or look different.

For example:

• Normal vision might see “12” on the first plate.
• Someone with red-green color blindness might see “3” or nothing.

The test has about 14 to 38 plates. Some plates are made so that only people with color blindness see a number, to confirm the issue.

Doctors use this test in clinics, but many online versions exist for quick checks.

How to Take a Color Blind Test at Home

You can try a color blind test online right now. Many websites offer free ones based on the Ishihara plates or other methods.

Steps to do it at home:

1. Sit in a bright room with good light (daylight is best, not too yellow from lamps).
2. Set your screen brightness high and turn off any blue light filter.
3. Look at the screen from about 30 inches away.
4. The test shows plates one by one. Say or type the number you see quickly (some give only a few seconds).
5. If you see nothing or the wrong number on many plates, you might have color blindness.

Popular sites include EnChroma, ColorBlindnessTest.org, or Pilestone. These give results on the type and how strong it is. Remember, online tests are good for a first check, but see an eye doctor for a full test.

Some tests now use new ways to check each cone separately for better accuracy.

Why Take a Color Blind Test?

A color blind test is useful for many reasons:

• For kids: Schools sometimes check so teachers can help with learning.
• For jobs: Some jobs, like pilot, electrician, or police, need good color vision. A test shows if you can do them.
• For daily life: Knowing helps you use apps, labels, or tools that work around color issues.
• Peace of mind: If you always mix up colors, finding out removes doubt.

It is also fun to try with friends and family!

Living with Color Blindness

Most people with color blindness live full lives. It does not stop you from most things. There are ways to manage it:

• Use apps that name colors from photos.
• Label things with words instead of colors.
• Choose clothes carefully or ask for help.
• Some glasses, like EnChroma, help some people see more colors (they do not cure it but make things brighter).

Famous people have color blindness, too. Actors like Keanu Reeves, directors like Christopher Nolan, and even Prince William deal with it. They show it does not hold you back.

Limitations of Online Color Blind Tests

Online color blind tests are helpful but not perfect. Screen colors vary by device, light, and settings. They might not catch mild cases or rare types. For official results, like for work or driving, you need a doctor with real Ishihara plates or other tools.

Always follow up with an eye exam if the online test shows an issue.

FAQs

Final Words!

A color blind test is an easy way to learn about your color vision. Whether you use the classic Ishihara plates or a quick online version, it can give you answers fast. Color blindness is common and usually not a big problem. Knowing about it helps you adapt and enjoy life more.

If you think you might have it, try a color blind test today. Then talk to an eye doctor if needed. Everyone sees the world a bit differently, and that is okay!