Why can't I read red on white?

Question

It's not that I'm colourblind, as I clearly see red and white, but I've always had extreme trouble reading red font on white paper, especially on the white boards in school.

I find that I often have to stand within arm's length to see any red written on white. This is also true for the opposite: I can't easily read white on red, though it's still a bit easier than red on white.

Why is this? I know I'm not colourblind, but others don't seem to have this issue. I don't wear glasses, and nor do I need them (I have great vision). My only eyesight problem seems to lie within these limits, and I'd like to know if anyone has any idea why this is and what I can do to make it better.

All ideas are appreciated.

Answer 1

idk, sounds pretty weird to me, maybe you should go see an eye doctor

Answer 2

Okay i think that the color red on the color white might be to bright for your eyes to clearly see. Since the color white is so blank adding a bright color such as red could possibly make it hard on your sensitive eyes!!! But that's just my opinion.

Answer 3

everyone has issues with red on white.  especially on computers, the two bright colors are overwhelming and cause eyestrain.  Dont worry about it.

Answer 4

Mate, although you say your eyesight is perfect, it could well be the fact that your short sighted in one or both eyes, which causes the red to blur and make it harder to see. I get this a lot, it makes the red look flourescent! Can also happen with yellow on black or sky blue on yellow.

This is just from experience, but im pretty sure it's to do with being short sighted.. still, nothing to worry about.

Answer 5

there is a type of colorblindness that is extremely rare (my ex has it) that is commonly called shade blindness. You can easily pass colorblindess tests and tell colors apart, but may have some trouble with similar colors and reading certain contrasting colors.

I can't really find any stuff on the internet right now, but my advice is to visit your optometrist and ask about it.

Answer 6

You are not colourblind. All people with ANY form of colourblindness that affects the ability to perceive red will see red as darker, completely red-colourblind or complete achromats will see it as black.

You may, however, simply not be as sensitive to contrast- which generally is indicative of nothing but the fact that you, like all humans, have unique eyes.

Unless it for some reason causes you significant distress, it's not really something to worry about.

You do have the option of going through tests with various tinted lenses and trying to find the colour you are 'okay' with seeing to make things in red readable, but this would require a visit to an ophthalmologist to rule out eye disease as well as the cost of glasses themselves... again, unless you have some sort of major reason that you need to be able to read it, it's not worth it.

Answer 7

If your clothes don't match, someone might have teased you about being color-blind. But some people really are color-blind. It doesn't mean they can't see any color at all, like a black and white movie. It means that they have trouble seeing the difference between certain colors. (Check out the image on the right to see how well you see colors.)

Being color-blind can make it tricky to match your shirt and pants, but it's not a serious problem. People who are color-blind can do normal stuff, even drive. Most color-blind people can't tell the difference between red or green, but they can learn to respond to the way the traffic signal lights up. The red light is generally on top and green is on the bottom.

Basically, you are color blind.