Seeing pink instead of purple can be caused by a few different factors related to how our eyes and brain perceive color. In this article, we’ll explore some of the main reasons why someone may see pink when looking at an object that others describe as purple.
How We See Color
To understand why we sometimes see different colors than others, it helps to first look at how our eyes and brain work together to interpret color.
Light entering our eyes is detected by special photoreceptor cells called cones. There are three types of cones that are each sensitive to different wavelengths of light – short, medium and long. The cones send signals to the brain about the intensity of red, green and blue light detected. The brain then combines these signals to produce all the colors we perceive.
So in order for us to see purple, our eyes need to detect a mix of long and medium wavelength light, and our brain needs to interpret these signals as the color purple. If there is any problem along the way, it can result in seeing pink instead.
Color Vision Deficiencies
One of the most common reasons someone may see pink instead of purple is due to hereditary color vision deficiencies, also known as color blindness. The most frequent types are red-green color blindness, where someone has trouble distinguishing reds from greens, and blue-yellow color blindness, where blues and yellows are hard to tell apart.
In the case of blue-yellow deficiencies, having weaker blue cone signals can make it difficult to detect enough blue light to see purple. Without the blue light being detected properly, purple colors end up looking more pink.
Red-green color blindness doesn’t directly affect purples, but having an imbalance between red and green cone signals can make all color perceptions slightly off. This could lead purples to be perceived as pinker than they really are.
| Type | Cone Affected | Colors Hard to Distinguish |
|---|---|---|
| Red-Green | Red and Green | Reds/Greens |
| Blue-Yellow | Blue | Blues/Yellows |
Color vision deficiencies are inherited genetic conditions that affect a significant portion of the population. An estimated 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some type of red-green color blindness. Blue-yellow deficiencies are rarer, affecting about 1 in 10,000 people.
Aging and Declining Color Vision
As we age, the lenses in our eyes gradually yellow and the cones become less sensitive to light. These age-related changes can reduce our ability to detect blue light. With less blue light reaching the brain, purples start to look more pink over time.
In fact, trouble distinguishing purples and blues is one of the first signs of declining color vision in older adults. Other early indicators are difficulty with differentiating dark reds from black or dark browns from dark green.
The onset and severity of age-related color vision decline can vary quite a bit between individuals. But in general, these changes start becoming noticeable in the mid-40s and increase into the 60s and beyond.
Cataracts
Cataracts, which are cloudy areas that develop on the lenses of our eyes, are another common age-related condition that can affect color perception. The cloudy patches block some wavelengths of light more than others. With less blue light getting through, cataracts make it hard to distinguish purples and blues.
People with cataracts often notice purples becoming desaturated, faded or pinkish. Cataract removal surgery usually improves color vision and restores the ability to see purples properly.
Neurological Conditions
Damage or disease affecting the visual processing centers of the brain can also alter color perception. Some examples include:
- Stroke – A stroke damaging the occipital lobe where visual processing occurs may cause acquired color vision deficiencies.
- Alzheimer’s disease – In early stages, trouble distinguishing blues/purples is common.
- Multiple sclerosis – Can optic neuritis which produces color vision problems.
- Parkinson’s disease – Impaired color discrimination is an early sign.
With neurological conditions, any type of color vision deficiency is possible. So someone may start seeing purples as pink, or reds as green, depending on the location and extent of damage.
Medications
Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications are also linked to color vision disturbances or deficits:
- Digoxin – A heart medication that can make it hard to distinguish blues/purples.
- Viagra – Erectile dysfunction drug that may give a blue tint and affect color perception.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs – High doses of ibuprofen or naproxen can impact color vision.
- Antidepressants – SSRI/SNRI medications are associated with color vision impairment.
The specific color vision effects vary by medication. But many tend to make it harder to identify differences between blues, purples and greens. The color perceptions issues are usually temporary and resolve after stopping the medication.
Retinal Damage or Disease
Since color vision starts with the retinal cones detecting light, any damage or disease affecting the retina can alter color perceptions:
- Macular degeneration – Loss of central vision makes it hard to distinguish colors.
- Diabetic retinopathy – Damage to blood vessels in the retina impacts color vision.
- Retinitis pigmentosa – Degeneration of retinal cells causes color blindness.
- Retinal detachment – Separated retina results in color vision deficits.
Depending on the extent and location of retinal damage, very specific color vision problems may show up. For example, only having trouble with purples and blues points to issues with the retinal areas responding to blue light wavelengths.
Eye Injuries
Physical trauma directly to the eye can also lead to color vision deficits if it damages the retina or optic nerve. For example, a sports injury, car accident, or blow to the head causing the eyeball to move violently within the socket could disconnect retinal cells.
Areas of retinal bruising, tearing or detachment will block certain color wavelengths from being detected properly. This can make specific hues like purples harder to see until the injury heals.
Testing Color Vision
If you suspect you may have an issue with distinguishing purples, there are some simple color vision tests you can try:
- Online color blindness tests checking for purple confusion.
- Farnsworth D-15 test re-arranging purple color caps.
- Ishihara test plates containing purple dot patterns.
These screening tests can help identify possible deficiencies and indicate if further evaluation by an eye doctor is warranted. A comprehensive eye exam can diagnose underlying causes for the purple/pink color confusion.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the specific reason behind purple looking pink. Here are some options:
- Correcting cataracts or retinal disease through surgery.
- Stopping problematic medications that affect color vision.
- Vision rehabilitation training to improve color discrimination.
- Using color filters or lens coatings that enhance color perception.
While color blindness from genetic deficiencies can’t be cured, many acquired color vision problems can be successfully treated. This may allow proper purple perception to be restored in affected individuals.
Coping Strategies
If treatment is not able to correct the purple/pink color confusion, adapting daily habits can help cope with the issue:
- Use a color identifier tool or color labels for sorting purples.
- Rely more on darker/lighter shades rather than colored hues.
- Avoid occupations like electrician or pilot requiring strong color discrimination.
- Ask others to help with distinguishing confusing color pairs.
With some adjustments, it’s possible to manage tasks requiring purple color discrimination. Prioritizing visual accessibility in home and work environments also makes a difference in easing difficulties with color blindness.
Conclusion
Many factors from eye conditions to neurological diseases can cause someone to see pink when looking at the color purple. Since purple contains a mix of red and blue light wavelengths, anything impacting blue color perception tends to shift purples towards appearing more pink.
Testing for specific color vision deficiencies and getting an eye exam can help pinpoint the reason for the purple/pink confusion. Addressing underlying medical causes when possible allows proper purple perception to be restored. Implementing coping strategies and visual accessibility aids provides alternative ways to manage ongoing color vision deficits.
