Red-Green color blindness and being an EE

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In summary: John were both color blindIn summary, the conversation discusses the use of colored contact lenses for individuals with red-green color blindness and whether they can help with passing color vision tests or in everyday work. It also touches on the issue of discrimination against individuals with color blindness in certain job industries. The conversation concludes with a personal anecdote about a telecom company conducting a color blindness test for new employees and the experience of two individuals who were color blind.
  • #1
Eyedoc
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Hi, I am an optometrist, and electrical engineering students come to us worried about passing color vision portions of tests. Would a deep red colored contact lens such as X-chrom in one eye be helpful in passing a test or in your everyday work, or would it be too distracting and create more problems? Do some companies or sub-specialties completely disqualify those with red-green color blindness?
 
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  • #2
I don't know the answer to your first question but I have done component level design for many years for a number of different companies and never have bee asked to take a color blindness test. I used to work with an engineer who was colorblind and he always measured resistors before he used them.
 
  • #3
My father and a friend from high school were both color blind and each encountered jobs where they were discriminated against because color perception was essential to the work.
 
  • #4
Eyedoc said:
Do some companies or sub-specialties completely disqualify those with red-green color blindness?

Probably ... when I started at a telecom company, the first thing they did was to check to see if I could correctly see the colour coded wires
It would have been pointless if I couldn't differentiate the colours

standard underground telephone cables
A legs white, red, black, yellow, violet
B legs blue, orange, green, brown, slate

Dave
 
  • #5


I can say that color blindness, specifically red-green color blindness, can pose challenges for individuals pursuing careers in fields such as electrical engineering. While wearing a deep red contact lens may help improve color vision in one eye, it may also cause difficulty in accurately perceiving other colors. Additionally, it may not be a reliable or sustainable solution for everyday work.

In terms of passing color vision tests, it is ultimately up to the specific requirements and standards of the company or sub-specialty. Some may have strict guidelines that completely disqualify individuals with color blindness, while others may have accommodations or alternative tests that can be used. It is important for individuals to research and understand the requirements of their desired career path and to work with their optometrist to find the best solution for their individual situation.
 

FAQ: Red-Green color blindness and being an EE

What is red-green color blindness?

Red-green color blindness is a type of color vision deficiency where individuals have difficulty distinguishing between red and green colors. This condition is caused by a genetic mutation that affects the cones in the retina, leading to a deficiency in the perception of these colors.

How common is red-green color blindness?

Red-green color blindness is the most common form of color vision deficiency, affecting approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females. This condition is more prevalent in males due to the genetic inheritance pattern.

How does red-green color blindness affect electrical engineers?

In the field of electrical engineering, color-coding is often used to identify different components and wires. Red-green color blindness can make it difficult for engineers to accurately identify and distinguish between these colors, which can lead to errors in circuit design and troubleshooting.

Can individuals with red-green color blindness still become successful electrical engineers?

Yes, individuals with red-green color blindness can still become successful electrical engineers. While this condition may present some challenges, it can be overcome through the use of alternative color-coding methods or the assistance of color-correcting glasses.

Is there a cure for red-green color blindness?

Currently, there is no cure for red-green color blindness. However, there are ongoing research and developments in gene therapy that may offer a potential cure in the future. In the meantime, accommodations and assistive technologies can help individuals with this condition to navigate their daily lives and careers.

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