According to the National Eye Institute, approximately 8 percent of men and 0.5 percent of women with Northern European ancestry experience red-green color blindness. If this condition runs in your family, then your children are more likely to have it as well. As a parent, it will be up to you and your family optometrist to determine whether your child is color-blind, so keep an eye out for the red flags below.

Optometrist’s Guide to Signs of Color Blindness

1. Using & Describing the Wrong Colors

When drawing or describing something, color-blind children may use the wrong colors for an object. They are most likely to have difficulty distinguishing between similar hues, dark colors, or between red and green.

2. Low Interest in Color Activities

Children with this condition often don’t have the same interest as others in activities like coloring books or sorting multi-colored blocks. This could be because the colors are not as interesting to them or they are self-conscious about their difficulty. 

3. Light Sensitivity

The condition that causes genetic color-blindness affects the way the retina processes light. It can also increase sensitivity to light, which is something to look for in your child. They may complain about the light in their classroom and require special placement as a result.

Dr. Edwin Y. Endo, O.D. & Associates has built a reputation as one of the Best Optometrists of Hawaii, as awarded by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Whether you’re looking for contact lenses or fashion eyewear, their optometrist will ensure your complete comfort, style, and health in their care. Their comprehensive services include eye exams and glasses or lens fitting as well as nutritional counseling and laser eye correction. See what to expect in their online reviews, and call (808) 487-5500 to schedule an appointment with their office at the Mary Savio Medical Plaza in Aiea, HI.