Find out if you’re colour blind by doing quick number test

If you’ve ever suspected you might be colour blind but never given it much thought, this swift test can determine whether you should seek professional advice. Colour blindness affects roughly 1 in 12 men (8%) and 1 in 200 women.

Across the UK, approximately 3 million people are colour blind (around 4.5% of the total population), with the majority being male. Globally, an estimated 300 million individuals live with colour blindness, according to Colour Blind Awareness.

The organisation notes that various forms of colour blindness exist, and in exceptionally rare instances, individuals cannot perceive any colour whatsoever. Nevertheless, most colour blind individuals struggle to fully perceive red, green or blue light.

The most prevalent forms are collectively referred to as ‘red/green colour blindness’. Whilst ‘red/green colour blindness’ is a widespread term, different types and degrees of severity exist.

Having ‘red/green colour blindness’ means those affected can readily mix up any colours containing red or green elements within the overall hue. Therefore, someone with red/green colour blindness may confuse blue and purple since they cannot perceive the red component of purple.

Some might question the importance of obtaining a colour blindness diagnosis, but Colour Blind Awareness highlights that it can influence career options and prove frustrating to manage at times. Early childhood diagnosis is crucial, as it can impact a youngster’s wellbeing.

An eye care professional on TikTok, @eyedr.ang, has revealed the diagnostic tool she uses with patients to determine colour blindness, explaining: “You might get them all right, or you might surprise yourself at the end and realise you’re colour blind”.

She demonstrated the Ishihara’s Tests for Colour Deficiency book, which is employed to assess whether someone has colour vision issues, before walking viewers through the entire examination as an ‘at-home’ screening.

You can watch the video here:

Every page features a circular pattern with green and red elements containing numbers. Those without colour blindness should readily identify which number appears on each page when completing the assessment on a laptop or mobile device.

Yet, if you find yourself unable to distinguish the red numerals from the green backdrop and the reverse, this could indicate colour vision deficiency.

She clarified: “If you get any of them wrong, this tells us that you have a red/green colour deficiency”.

Viewers flooded the comments section, with numerous people admitting they answered some incorrectly, whilst one individual confessed to getting “them all wrong”.

What does the NHS say about colour blindness?

The primary indicator of colour vision deficiency is difficulty distinguishing between colours, as stated by the NHS.

Colour vision deficiency can be present from birth, or it may develop at any stage of life.

If your child has colour vision deficiency, symptoms might not be immediately obvious, but you may observe your child:

• uses the wrong colours when drawing or painting, for example, drawing purple leaves on trees
• has difficulty with tasks involving sorting colours
• lacks interest in colouring tasks
• smells food before eating it

Consult an optician if you or your child displays indicators of colour vision deficiency. There are two primary examinations for colour vision deficiency:

• The Ishihara test, where you’ll be asked to read images made up of coloured dots
• Colour arrangement tests, where you’ll be asked to put coloured objects in order of what shade they are

Colour vision testing is not included in the standard NHS eye test; however, you can request it from your optician if you believe you or your child may require it.

While online tests are accessible, it’s crucial to seek a professional evaluation at an optician’s if you have any worries about your eyesight.