What it is
Many careers set color vision standards because color can carry important information, such as wiring, signal lights, charts, maps or warning indicators. Fields where this often comes up include aviation, military service, law enforcement, commercial driving, electrical trades and maritime work.
Color blindness, also called color vision deficiency, is a difference in how the eyes detect certain colors. It is commonly described by type (protan, deutan or tritan) and by severity, from mild to more significant. It is more common in men and is often inherited, though it can sometimes develop later in life.
Color-enhancing filter glasses and contact lenses are sometimes marketed as color blind glasses. They do not cure color blindness and do not restore normal color vision. How much they change color perception, if at all, varies by a person's specific type and severity. They generally are not accepted as a substitute for passing an official color vision test, and some employers or agencies may restrict their use during testing.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Employers, licensing bodies and military branches have usually relied on standardized color vision tests. These may include pseudoisochromatic plate tests, arrangement tests, anomaloscope exams or lantern-style or computer-based tests. Which test is accepted differs from one authority to another.
Requirements are not the same everywhere. They vary by employer, role and licensing authority, and they can change over time. Some roles have strict pass/fail standards, while others allow alternative tests or restrictions on duties.
Traditionally, people have also learned practical strategies, such as labeling, using brightness and position cues, or relying on apps and tools where allowed. These approaches are a matter of everyday coping and don't replace formal testing or change test results.
How the right doctor may help
The right provider, such as an eye doctor offering occupational and licensing color vision testing or comprehensive color vision testing, may be able to evaluate your color vision and help identify its type and severity. They may also be able to provide documentation in a form your employer or agency accepts, though what counts as acceptable is decided by that organization.
A visit generally includes a conversation about your goals and health history, followed by one or more color vision tests. Results are usually explained in plain language, and you may be told how they relate to the kind of role you're considering. A clinician decides which tests are appropriate for you after an evaluation.
Useful questions to ask include: Which tests do you offer, and does my employer or agency accept them? Can you provide written results? How do my type and severity show up in testing? Do color-enhancing glasses or lenses have any role for me, and what are the limits? Before booking, it also helps to confirm current requirements directly with the specific employer, licensing body or agency.
The whole-person view
Career goals can carry real weight. Worrying about a test or an uncertain result can create stress, and stress can affect sleep, focus and how the body feels. Body, mind and stress influence one another, so caring for the whole person can be part of preparing for a big step.
Some people find body-based support, such as the approaches offered through Somatic Experiences, helpful for managing tension around high-stakes situations. Others value talking things through with a counselor, such as through Therapists.plus, especially when plans change after a result. Neither is a substitute for professional eye care, and either may simply be one option among many.
Keep in mind
- Color blind glasses and lenses do not cure color blindness or restore normal color vision, and results vary by type and severity.
- Color vision standards differ by employer, authority and role and change over time, so confirm current requirements with the specific employer, licensing body or agency.
- Only a licensed clinician can evaluate your vision and decide what is appropriate for you; this page is educational only and not medical advice.
- For emergencies call 911; if you are in a crisis or feeling overwhelmed, call or text the 988 Lifeline.
Doctors who often help
Get matched privatelyFrequently asked questions
Can color blind glasses help me pass a color vision test for a job?
Generally no. Color blind glasses and color-enhancing lenses do not cure color blindness or restore normal color vision, and many employers and agencies do not accept them in place of an official test. Some may not allow them during testing at all. Confirm the rules with the specific employer or agency.
Where can I get official color vision testing for a job or license?
Eye care providers who offer occupational and licensing color vision testing or comprehensive color vision testing may be able to help. Ask whether they offer the specific test your employer or agency requires. You can find independent providers through directories such as Providers.plus.
Do all careers have the same color vision requirements?
No. Requirements vary by employer, role and licensing authority, and they can change over time. Fields such as aviation, military, law enforcement, commercial driving, electrical trades and maritime work often have their own standards. Always check current requirements with the organization you're applying to.
What kinds of tests are used to check color vision?
Common tests include plate-based tests, color arrangement tests, anomaloscope exams and lantern or computer-based tests. Which one is accepted depends on the employer or authority. A provider can explain what each involves and which may fit your situation.
Can I get documentation of my color vision results?
Often, yes. A provider may be able to give you written results after testing. Whether that documentation is accepted is decided by the employer, licensing body or agency, so ask them what format they require before your appointment.
Does the type of color blindness matter for career requirements?
It can. Color blindness is described by type (protan, deutan or tritan) and by severity, and these can affect how a person performs on different tests. A provider can help identify your type and severity and explain what that may mean for the roles you're considering.
Educational resource. Colorblind Glasses shares general information and connects people with independent doctors. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.