What it is
Color blindness, also called color vision deficiency, means a person sees certain colors differently than most people do. The most common forms are inherited and present from early life. They are usually described by type: protan (reds), deutan (greens) or tritan (blues and yellows), and by severity, from mild to more significant. Inherited forms are more common in men.
Diabetes is a condition in which the body has difficulty managing blood sugar. Over time, long-standing or poorly managed blood sugar can affect small blood vessels and nerve tissue throughout the body, including in the eye. This is one reason eye health is an important part of diabetes care.
When color vision changes later in life, it is often called acquired color vision deficiency. It can have several possible causes, and diabetes-related eye changes are one that eye care professionals consider. Acquired changes can look different from inherited ones, and they may affect one eye more than the other or shift gradually, such as making blues and yellows harder to tell apart. Only a licensed clinician can determine what is behind a change in color vision.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Because inherited color blindness is typically stable throughout life, it has traditionally been identified through color vision screening, often with pattern or plate-based tests, and sometimes more detailed testing that helps describe the type and severity. Many people learn to adapt using labels, lighting, organization and apps or tools.
When someone with diabetes notices a change in how colors look, it has traditionally been treated as something worth mentioning to an eye care professional. Routine dilated eye exams are a common part of how diabetes-related eye health is monitored, and color vision testing may be added as part of a broader evaluation.
Color-enhancing filter glasses and contact lenses are sometimes discussed in this space. They do not cure color blindness and do not restore normal color vision. Their effect varies with a person's specific type (protan, deutan or tritan) and severity, and some people notice little difference. A provider can explain what they can and cannot do, and what the regulatory status of any such product is.
How the right doctor may help
A provider who offers genetic and acquired color vision evaluation may help you sort out whether your color vision has likely always been this way or whether it may have changed. A visit generally begins with questions about your history, including any family history of color blindness, your general health, any medications and when you first noticed a difference.
The provider may then perform color vision tests, check each eye separately, and examine the health of your eyes. Depending on what they find, they may suggest follow-up with your eye doctor or primary care clinician. What is appropriate is decided by a licensed clinician after an evaluation, not by a web page.
Helpful questions to ask include: Does my color vision look inherited or acquired? Which type and severity does testing suggest? Could my diabetes be related? How often should my eyes and color vision be checked? Are there everyday tools or accommodations that might help, and do filter glasses make sense for my situation? Is there anything I should know about requirements for my job or license?
The whole-person view
Body, mind and stress affect one another. Living with diabetes can involve daily attention and worry, and noticing a change in vision can add to that stress. Stress, sleep and overall health can also influence how people feel about and cope with health changes, so caring for the whole person matters alongside eye care.
If the emotional side feels heavy, body-based support such as Somatic Experiences may appeal to some people, and talk therapy through Therapists.plus may help others work through worry or adjustment. These are options to explore, not replacements for medical care, and they can sit alongside the guidance of your licensed providers.
Keep in mind
- This page is educational only and is not medical advice; it cannot tell you why your color vision looks the way it does.
- Licensed professionals should guide care for diabetes and eye health, and sudden vision changes should be checked promptly.
- For an emergency, such as sudden vision loss, call 911; in a crisis, call or text 988.
- Color-enhancing glasses and lenses do not cure color blindness or restore normal color vision, and results vary by type and severity.
- Color vision standards for jobs and licenses vary and change over time, so confirm current requirements with the specific employer, licensing body or agency.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Frequently asked questions
Can diabetes cause color blindness?
Diabetes may be associated with changes in color vision in some people, usually because it can affect the eyes over time. This is called acquired color vision deficiency and is different from the inherited kind. An eye care professional can evaluate whether a change is related to diabetes or something else.
Is color blindness and diabetes related if I was born color blind?
Inherited color blindness and diabetes are generally separate conditions. Being born with color blindness does not by itself mean you have or will develop diabetes. However, having diabetes can still affect eye health, so regular eye exams remain important.
What are early signs of color vision changes with diabetes?
Some people notice that colors look duller, washed out, or harder to tell apart, especially blues and yellows. Changes may be gradual or affect one eye more than the other. Because these signs can have many causes, it is best to have them checked by a licensed provider.
Can color blind glasses fix color vision changes from diabetes?
No, color blind glasses do not cure color blindness or restore normal color vision, and they are not a fix for diabetes-related eye changes. Any effect varies by the person's type (protan, deutan or tritan) and severity. Ask a licensed provider whether they might be appropriate for you and about their regulatory status.
Should I get my color vision tested if I have diabetes?
It can be reasonable to ask your eye care provider about it, especially if you notice colors looking different. Color vision testing may be part of a broader eye evaluation. Your provider can advise on what is appropriate and how often.
Can color vision changes from diabetes be reversed?
It depends on the cause and the individual, and only a licensed clinician can say what may be possible. Some changes may stabilize or differ depending on the underlying eye condition and overall health management. Early evaluation may help you understand your options.
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.