Colour Blindness In Your Toddler - Causes, Signs, Diagnosis & Cure

Are you aware that infants have very underdeveloped eyesight when they first enter the world? A newborn baby can only differentiate between highly contrasting colors like black and white. It typically takes your baby six months to develop a full-color vision. Even though babies may not be able to distinguish colors, they can typically tell the difference between bright colors, alias, and primary colors.Continue reading to know about color blind test and its risk factors, its signs, and its causes. 

Around the age of one and a half, they begin to notice similarities and differences in the size, form and look of objects around them. At about the same time, they also begin to distinguish different colors. He or she could then readily match the color by that time. For instance, a green car to a green block, etc. However, only after their second birthday (they have to develop their vocabulary, right?) they could start naming the colors accurately.

You cannot ignore the possibility of color blindness if you see that your child struggles to identify or understand colors and if, during the developmental phases, he or she is unable to match or name a certain hue. The meaning of color blindness awareness is now obvious.

For some reason, boys are more likely than girls to experience this genetic issue. Out of 20 boys, one or two will likely have a color vision issue. Color blindness isn’t serious. It should not, however, be disregarded. Continue reading to know color blindness risk factors, its signs, and its causes.

What Is Color Blindness In Toddlers?

The incapacity or problem in distinguishing specific colors is known as color blindness. the child undergoing this condition cannot see certain colors the way they appear. Some colors are difficult for children who are color blind to differentiate. They cannot be able to differentiate shades of color as well. For instance, olive, light, and dark green all appear the same to them.

Color vision deficiency is the aptest word for this condition because this condition does not affect vision. However, complete color blindness, which is a very rare phenomenon, is an exception. Here, the affected person may have complete color blindness (they will see the world Like a black-and-white movie). 

The inability to distinguish between red and green is the most prevalent kind of color vision impairment, followed by blue and yellow.

 

How Does Color Blindness Happen?

Before knowing how color blindness happens, you should know some facts about normal vision. The two types of cells seen in the retina at the rear of the eye are:

  • Rod cells – Although these rod cells are colorless, they are light-sensitive.
  • Cone cells – these cells take in more intense light and can distinguish between colors and features. There are three types of cone cells. They each detect red, green, and blue light. We notice the wide variety of colors present around us by integrating the messages sent by each set of cone cells.
  • When one or more of these cone cell types are missing or don't work properly color blindness results.

How To Understand If A Child Is Color Blind?

Some children may not even be aware that they are color blind because the symptoms of color blindness are frequently so subtle. They believe what they perceive to be typical. However, when kids are first discovering their colors, parents can spot symptoms of color blindness. 

If your child has color blindness, you may first detect the symptoms when the youngster is about four years old. The following list of early signs of color blindness:

  • The child might not be curious about playing games of coloring or sorting with colored blocks or beads.
  • While painting or coloring, the child uses the wrong colors– e.g.incorrect color choices for the leaves, stem, and sky.
  • Issues in identifying red or green colored pencils or any color pencil with red or green as a component (like purple and brown).
  • Food smells before consumption (as they may not be able to determine the food otherwise).
  • Excellent sense of smell.
  • Having a very good night vision.
  • Sensitivity to bright lights.
  • Reading or identifying object issues on colored pages (color on color).
  • The child may complain of a headache or eye pain when looking at red against the green background, or vice versa
  • Identification of color worsens in dim light.


 

How Is Color Blindness In Toddlers Diagnosed?

Take your youngster to an ophthalmologist as soon as you suspect color blindness. The eye doctor will do several color vision tests using charts that were specially created to determine whether your child is color blind. The sort of color blindness your child is suffering will be determined if a color vision defect is discovered.

What Is Child Color Blind Test?


It is a simple screening test by which the ophthalmologist determines and categorizes color blindness. The type and severity of the child's color deficiency are assessed using the Hardy-Rand-Rittler (H-R-R) and Ishihara Color Plates. The child will be asked to name the color or identify the shapes or numbers embedded in different colored dotes with distinct intensities.

What Are The Types Of Color Blindness In Toddlers?


Red-Green Color Blindness

Some colors of red and green cannot be seen by children who suffer from this type of color blindness. Red-green color blindness is usually inherited. It is the most typical form of color blindness and accounts for eight percent of boys' and 0.4 percent of girls’ color blindness. 


This is because the genes that give rise to red-green color blindness are on the X chromosome. Since the males (XY) have only one X chromosome if they inherit the defective gene they contract colorblindness. On the other hand, in females (XX), just one of the two X chromosomes needs to be normal for normal color vision to happen.

Blue-Yellow Color Blindness

Some blue and yellow hues are invisible to kids with this type of color blindness. 5% of cases of color blindness of this kind have been documented. Because the genes that cause this sort of colorblindness are found on a non-sex chromosome, both sexes are equally afflicted (Chromosome 7).

Complete Color Blindness


Children who are totally color blind are incapable of seeing any hues. Complete color blindness is frequently accompanied by poor vision.

 

Non-Inherited Genetic Color Blindness

Color blindness is not always inherited. It can be induced by:

  • A chromosomal alteration (mutation) brought on by exposure to heavy metal toxicity in some way.
  • Head injuries that cause trauma to the brain or retina
  • An outcome of degenerative eye disease. 


What Are The Treatments For Colorblindness In Toddlers?

There is no treatment for a child's color blindness. But it isn't a serious condition, either. Some doctors suggest tinted glass and lenses that enhance some colors, but it is not that helpful. Helping and supporting the child to live with it is the only option. On the other hand, acquired or non-inherited color blindness can be cured when the underlying condition is resolved.