Introduction
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience the world without color, even if just for a few moments? Making yourself temporarily colorblind can be an interesting sensory experiment that provides insight into how colorblind individuals perceive the world around them. In this article, we’ll explore a simple technique using readily available supplies that can simulate colorblindness for about 30 seconds.
What is colorblindness?
Colorblindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is the decreased ability to perceive differences between some colors that other people can distinguish. It is one of the most common genetic disorders, affecting around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women globally.
There are different types of colorblindness:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Red-green color blindness | Difficulty distinguishing between reds, greens, browns, and oranges. This is the most common type. |
| Blue-yellow color blindness | Difficulty distinguishing between blues, yellows, greens, and violets. |
| Total color blindness | Inability to see any color at all. |
People with normal color vision have three types of cone cells in their eyes that allow them to see different wavelengths of light corresponding to red, green, and blue. Colorblind people are missing one or more of these photopigments, so they cannot differentiate colors that seem distinctly different to people with normal color vision.
Why try to experience colorblindness?
Here are some reasons why you may want to temporarily induce colorblindness:
– To empathize with colorblind individuals and understand how they experience the world. This can make you more aware of difficulties they face and improve how you can accommodate them.
– As an educational demonstration to understand how colorblind people see compared to normal color vision. This can be especially useful for designers, photographers, and others working in visual fields.
– For sensory deprivation experience. Altering how you perceive color can be interesting insight into how we rely on our senses.
– As a fun trick to show friends. The temporary effect can surprise people and make them appreciate normal color vision more.
However, keep in mind that temporary colorblindness cannot replicate the full experience of living with the disorder. The difficulties colorblind people face go far beyond just distinguishing between some colors. Still, experiencing simulated colorblindness briefly can provide an approximation.
How to make yourself colorblind
Here is a simple technique to experience colorblindness using just plastic wrap and petroleum jelly:
Supplies needed
– Plastic food wrap
– Petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline)
– Tape (medical or masking tape)
Steps
1. Cut out two small squares of plastic food wrap, around 2 inches wide.
2. Smear a thin layer of petroleum jelly over one side of each plastic square.
3. Place the plastic squares jelly-side down over your eyes. The plastic will blur your vision, while the petroleum jelly dulls color perception.
4. Use medical or masking tape to tape down the edges of the plastic wrap so they seal against your face. Try to limit light coming in from the sides.
5. Blink a few times once the plastic is secured on your eyes. Your vision should now appear blurry and desaturated.
The petroleum jelly filters out certain wavelengths of light, temporarily limiting what color your eyes can detect. Combined with the blurring effect of the plastic wrap, this simulates symptoms of colorblindness.
What you’ll experience
Here are some effects you may notice when you try this technique:
– Colors will appear dull, faded and indistinct. You’ll be able to see color, but the vividness is gone.
– Reds, greens, and browns may be difficult to tell apart. These colors seem muted.
– Blues and yellows are easier to see than other colors. They will stand out more.
– You lose fine color discrimination ability. Subtle shades between similar colors will be harder to differentiate.
– Visual acuity is reduced. Details will be blurrier, especially for small, colored objects.
– Increased light sensitivity. Your eyes will strain without the protection of the colored oil film. Keep exposures brief.
– A visible yellow or brown tint. This is caused by the petroleum jelly filtering out blue and violet light.
The plastic blurring creates general visual dysfunction, while the petroleum jelly replicates reduced color perception. This combination mimics key effects of colorblindness.
Tips for the experience
Here are some tips to get the most insightful experience from your temporary colorblindness:
– Have someone with normal color vision assist you. They can tell you what colors things appear to them compared to what you see.
– Look at familiar colorful objects like fruit, clothes, or paintings. See how the colors change.
– Try to identify and name colors to test your color discrimination.
– Read colored text on signage or screens. See if you can read traffic lights.
– Spend time outdoors and note how it changes the appearance of plants, sky, and scenery.
– Avoid direct sunlight, as the plastic magnifies its glare. Use in shaded indoor areas.
– Keep periods of colorblindness under 30 seconds at a time. Extended light deprivation can cause eye strain.
– Close one eye at a time to compare them. Color perception may differ slightly between eyes.
The key is exploring your environment and seeing how colorblindness alters your visual interpretation of the world. Notice the difficulties it introduces that you take for granted with normal color vision.
Returning to normal vision
The colorblindness effect should last about 30 seconds before color perception returns to normal once you remove the plastic wrap. Here’s what to do:
– Remove the tape and plastic wrap slowly. Keep your eyes closed at first.
– Blink your eyes gradually to let them adjust back to normal light levels.
– Colors may appear extra vivid at first as your vision readjusts.
– If vision remains blurry, give your eyes a break before trying again.
– Wash off any remaining petroleum jelly from around your eyes.
– Check that your vision seems back to normal. If not, give it some time to recover.
The color deprivation effect is temporary and your eyes should recover fully a few minutes after removing the plastic wrap. If vision issues persist, consult an eye doctor just to be safe.
Key takeaways
– Making yourself temporarily colorblind is an interesting experience that can provide perspective on how colorblind people see the world.
– Using plastic food wrap and petroleum jelly can simulate symptoms of colorblindness when applied over the eyes.
– Effects include muted color perception, difficulty differentiating between reds and greens, blurry vision, and increased light sensitivity.
– Try looking at familiar colorful items and reading signage to appreciate the challenges faced.
– Limit colorblindness periods to 30 seconds and be cautious of eye strain. Vision should return to normal a few minutes after removing the wrap.
While not a perfect replication, this simple technique can offer some insight into living with color vision deficiency. The next time you encounter information conveyed through colors, keep in mind how a colorblind person may struggle interpreting it. Empathy and awareness are key takeaways from simulated colorblind experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this technique safe for my eyes?
This technique is low risk for your eyes if done carefully for short periods. The plastic wrap simply blurs vision temporarily while the petroleum jelly filters certain colors. Avoid direct sunlight, limit sessions to 30 seconds, and give your eyes regular breaks to prevent strain. Discontinue use if any irritation occurs.
How long does the colorblind effect last?
The simulated colorblindness lasts about 30 seconds before color perception begins returning to normal once you remove the plastic wrap. Give your eyes a few minutes to fully adjust back. The petroleum jelly does not cause any permanent change or damage to color vision.
Can I do this with sunglasses instead of plastic wrap?
You can attempt this technique with colored sunglasses, but the effect likely won’t be as strong. The plastic wrap thoroughly blurs vision while also sealing out external light for best color filtration. Sunglasses may dim colors but won’t fully block certain wavelengths like petroleum jelly on plastic can.
Is there a different household item I can use instead of petroleum jelly?
Petroleum jelly is ideal for its thick, viscous coating that adheres well to the plastic wrap. Some alternatives you can try are vegetable oil, coconut oil, lip balm, or aloe vera gel. Apply a thin layer to the plastic – you want enough to filter light, but not so much that you can’t see through.
Can I do this technique at night or with eyes closed?
No, it won’t work properly with eyes closed or in darkness. The colorblindness effect comes from how the petroleum jelly filters the colors you perceive. With no light entering your eyes at all, there are no colors to be altered. You need ambient light passing through the filtered plastic wrap to experience the simulated colorblindness.
Conclusion
Trying this simple technique with plastic wrap and petroleum jelly provides a rough approximation of what colorblind people contend with in daily life. While not perfect, it can help build empathy and appreciation for those with color vision deficiencies. When designing information or environments, consider how they may appear for someone who cannot see certain colors. With creativity and awareness, we can accommodate colorblindness and make a more inclusive world for all to see.