Posted by: Northwest Eye in Pediatrics on February 12, 2024
As parents, we marvel at the world through our children’s eyes, witnessing their exploration of colors, shapes, and the magic of everyday life. Yet, what if their perception of these vibrant hues is different? Color vision in children is a fascinating aspect of their visual development. At Northwest Eye, our pediatric eye specialists, including Dr. Richard Freeman, Dr. W. Keith Engel, Dr. Alejandra Decanini, Dr. Catherine Origlieri, and Dr. Tanya Glaser, are here to guide you through what parents should know about color vision in their little ones.
Understanding Color Vision: Color vision is not fully developed at birth; it matures over time as children grow. Here are some color vision milestones to keep in mind, as well as some color vision deficiencies to look out for:
1. Color Perception Milestones:
- Infancy: Newborns see the world in black and white, and shades of gray.
- Approximately 1 week old: Babies can start to see red, orange, yellow, and green. It will take longer for them to see blue and violet.
- 4-6 months: At this age, color vision should be similar to adults, with the ability to see all the colors of the rainbow.
2. Color Vision Deficiency (often called color blindness) means that you may not see colors the same way that others perceive them, or you may not even see certain colors at all.
- Red-Green Deficiency: Difficulty distinguishing between red and green shades. This is the most common type of color vision deficiency.
- Blue-Yellow Deficiency: This deficiency isn’t as common, and actually involves several different colors. Some people struggle to differentiate between blue and green, and yellow and red. Tritanopia is another deficiency where individuals are unable to tell the difference between blue and green, purple and red and yellow and pink.
- Total Color Blindness: Although rare, some may see the world in shades of gray. This is called monochromacy or achromatopsia.
Why Pediatric Eye Specialists Matter: Early detection and intervention are crucial for addressing potential color vision issues. Our dedicated pediatric specialists at Northwest Eye are equipped to assess and support your child’s visual development.
Northwest Eye proudly announces the opening of our newest clinic in Minnetonka. It is the ONLY separate pediatric optical in the state of Minnesota, featuring opticians specializing in fitting frames for children. With a child-centric philosophy, specialized equipment, and our dedicated team, Northwest Eye ensures that every child receives the highest standard of care for their vision, promoting a lifetime of healthy and clear eyesight.
To schedule your child for an appointment with one of our pediatric specialists, call us at (763) 416-7600 or Request an Appointment below! Let Northwest Eye be your partner in ensuring your child’s vision journey is filled with vibrant colors and clear sights.
Sources: All About Vision & the National Eye Institute
