06 Sep 2025
We have said it before and we will keep on saying it: colour blindness is far more common than most people realise. Around one in 12 men and one in 200 women in the UK live with some form of colour vision deficiency.
That means thousands of people across Hertfordshire, including plenty here in St Albans, see the world in a way that is subtly (or sometimes dramatically) different.
It is one of those conditions that often goes unnoticed. Children may grow up thinking they see colours in the same way as everyone else, only to discover at school that they struggle to tell red from green on a map, or brown from orange in a textbook. Adults might not realise
until much later in life, perhaps when a driving test or workplace situation brings it to light.
And yet, despite its prevalence, colour blindness still does not get the attention it deserves.
That is why Colour Blindness Awareness Day is so valuable. Every year, on September 6, it nudges us to think about how colour affects our lives and how important it is to design a world that works for everyone.
Here at EYES on St Albans, we have been talking about colour vision for more than seven years. Since opening our doors, we have quietly (and not so quietly!) stocked and fitted EnChroma® glasses. They are not a fad, not a gimmick, and certainly not a miracle cure.
What they can be, though, is life-changing. About nine out of 10 people who try them here notice some kind of improvement. For some it is subtle, like greens looking fresher or reds appearing more distinct. For others it is a revelation – autumn leaves that suddenly blaze with colour, or a football shirt that finally looks “right.”
It is these everyday experiences that make all the difference. Watching someone put on a pair of EnChroma glasses for the first time can be genuinely moving. We have seen customers smile, laugh, and even well up with emotion as the world looks different, sometimes for the very first time.
And there is something wonderfully fitting about living in St Albans, where our local colours are blue and yellow. These shades are among the most reliably visible even for those with colour vision deficiency.
Our flags, scarves, and even the EYES branding itself are instantly recognisable – a happy quirk that makes our community feel just a little more inclusive without even trying.
Of course, supporting people with colour blindness is not just about eyewear. The way we use colour in signage, posters, websites, and public spaces has a huge impact. A few simple
principles make life easier for everyone:
– Strong contrast works best. Think of black on yellow, or white on navy.
– Simple fonts such as Arial or Verdana are far easier to read than fussy scripts.
– Avoiding glare helps enormously, whether that is choosing matte paper for a leaflet or ensuring a sign is lit without reflection.
– Consistency matters. Keeping signs in the same places at venues or on streets helps people navigate smoothly.
These are not complicated fixes – just thoughtful decisions that ripple out and benefit the whole community.
So this Colour Blindness Awareness Day, the message is not “here is something new.”
Instead, it is the reminder we will keep on giving: colour blindness does not go away, and neither does our commitment to raising awareness. If you have ever wondered what it might be like to see colour differently, pop in and try EnChroma for yourself. No fuss, no pressure – just a friendly chat and perhaps a brand-new perspective on the world around you.
