To review visual and optical aids in management of color vision deficiencies.

This lecture is a literature review that introduce and explain methods for aiding people who suffer from color vision deficiencies. There are two types of color vision deficiencies: acquired and hereditary. Acquierd color vision deficiency management is almost secondary to a retinal or visual pathway disorder or pathology and improvement progress is related to improvement in background pathology. Second type, i.e. hereditary color vision deficiencies are more common and should be considered more important and for this reason most management methods are developed for this group. The emphasis of this lecture is on the optically management of these patients.

Based on new researchs, there are few ophthalmic and contact lenses which could be helpful for color-blind patients. Some types of these aids are red-colored contact lenses, various color ophthalmic lenses (based on the type of color vision deficiency), and tools such as seekeys and computer based aids.

Although, there are various methods that are helpful for color vision deficient patients, however, based on type of color vision deficiency (hereditary or acquired), management is different. In fact, there is no perfect management for hereditary color vision deficiencies and all management methods are rehabilitational and just should be used when these patients are impaired by these disorders in routine activities or occupational positions.