Can color weakness be treated?

Jun 11, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My boyfriend has color weakness and has difficulty distinguishing between red and green, so he is currently unable to obtain a driver's license. I've had color weakness for many years. I'd like to ask: is color weakness treatable?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Shuai
Currently, there is no complete cure for color weakness (color vision deficiency), but it can be improved through various methods. Color weakness, also known as anomalous trichromacy, is a visual disorder characterized primarily by reduced ability to distinguish colors, especially noticeable under low light conditions or when color saturation is low. It is mainly classified into congenital and acquired forms, with the congenital type often linked to genetic factors and more prevalent in males than females. One approach to improvement involves wearing specially designed corrective glasses for color deficiency; these glasses use special lens coatings to enhance color perception, making previously difficult-to-distinguish colors clearer. Additionally, methods such as acupoint massage and enhanced color and light training may also improve color recognition to some extent. For acquired color weakness—such as that caused by retinal diseases or optic nerve disorders—treating the underlying condition is crucial. With active treatment and removal of causative factors, symptoms of color weakness may improve.