When I was a kid, I thought everyone struggled to tell whether a traffic light was red or green. I couldn’t understand why teachers got frustrated when I used the “wrong” colours in my drawings, or why my football coach once asked if I needed glasses after I mixed up our team bibs. It wasn’t until I was much older that I realised I wasn’t seeing the world the same way as everyone else—I was colourblind.
What I didn’t know back then was that my grandfather had the same experience. He worked as a tradie, and would often laugh about painting walls the “wrong” shade or buying the “wrong” colour of flowers for my grandma. It was always treated as a bit of a family joke—nothing serious. But in hindsight, I wonder how many opportunities he quietly avoided because of it.
Later, my own son started showing similar signs. He’d complain that colouring-in at school was “too hard” or that he didn’t like playing board games with coloured pieces. At first, I assumed he was just being fussy. Then I remembered what it felt like to be a child constantly second-guessing what others saw so clearly. The pattern was repeating itself.
That’s when I decided to stop the guessing game.
We used the iRo Lens testing kit, which gave us clear, reliable results right from home. No appointments, no waiting lists—just straightforward insight. Sure enough, my son had a form of red-green colour vision deficiency, just like me.
Having that knowledge was empowering—for both of us. It allowed his school to make small changes, like labelling colours on charts and choosing learning materials with better contrast. It also gave him the words to explain what he sees, which made a big difference in building his confidence.
Looking back, I realise how many small moments of confusion or frustration could have been avoided—for me, for my grandfather, and now, hopefully, for my son. Colourblindness isn’t a disability in the traditional sense, but it does shape how we interact with the world. And when you don’t know what you’re dealing with, it can quietly chip away at your confidence.
That’s why I believe in the importance of early testing and open conversations. Not so kids can be labelled, but so they can be understood—and supported.
Three generations of my family have navigated the world a little differently. And thanks to awareness and tools like the iRo Lens kit, the next generation won’t have to do it alone or in silence.
If you’ve ever suspected you—or someone you care about—might have a colour vision difference, don’t wait decades to find out. Knowing how you see colour is one small step that can open the door to a lifetime of clarity.rough education and understanding.
