Colour Blindness in Boys - Why is it more common?

If you've noticed your son struggling to tell red from green or often confusing colours when drawing or reading, you're not alone. Colour blindness, or colour vision deficiency, is more common than many parents realize — and it affects boys far more frequently than girls. But why is that?

Let’s explore what colour blindness really is, why boys are more likely to inherit it, and how to support your child if they experience this condition.

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What Is Colour Blindness?

Colour blindness does not mean seeing the world in black and white, that is a common myth. Instead, it refers to difficulty in distinguishing between certain colours. 

The most common type is red-green colour blindness, where individuals mix up shades of red and green because the eye’s photoreceptors (cones) do not work properly.

This can affect how a child interprets colours in everyday life from classroom learning (like reading charts or maps) to choosing clothes or food packaging.

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Why Is Colour Blindness More Common in Boys?

The answer lies in genetics!

Colour vision deficiency is usually an inherited condition linked to the X chromosome. Here's how it works:

• The gene responsible for the most common forms of colour blindness is carried on the X chromosome.

Males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). So, if their single X chromosome carries the gene for colour blindness, they will express the condition.

Females have two X chromosomes (XX). Even if one X chromosome has the colour-blind gene, the other normal one usually compensates, making them carriers rather than affected.

This is why approximately 1 in 12 boys are colour blind, compared to just 1 in 200 girls.

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When and How is it Diagnosed?

Most cases of colour blindness are detected in early childhood, especially once children start school. Common signs include:

• Trouble identifying colours in art or worksheets

• Confusing red and green traffic lights or signs

• Complaints that colours look “the same”

• Avoiding activities that involve colour matching or sorting

Colour vision can be tested easily by an optometrist using specialised charts like the Ishihara test. This should ideally be done around the time your child starts school, especially if there’s a family history.

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Living With Colour Blindness – What Parents Should Know

There is currently no cure for inherited colour blindness, but with the right support, children can thrive and adapt easily. 

Here are a few tips:

• Communicate with teachers – Let educators know so they can adjust worksheets, colour-coded tasks or teaching materials.

• Use labels, patterns, or symbols – Rather than relying on colour alone, using other visual cues can help with learning and organisation.

• Choose accessible tools – Colour-blind-friendly learning materials or apps with enhanced contrast can make daily tasks easier.

It’s also important to talk to your child about their condition. Reassure them that colour blindness is not a flaw but instead it is just a different way of seeing the world!

If you suspect your child may have colour vision issues, do not wait and book an eye check-up to confirm. Early awareness helps children grow up feeling confident and empowered, no matter how they see the world!

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