Should I worry about temporary color blindness?
DEC 22, 2021
Question:
Two years ago I experienced temporary color blindness. Just before it happened, I had spaced out for a brief period of time. As soon as I returned my focus to my sight, the colors returned. The closest explanation I found described this as transient achromatopsia. This never happened again, but should I be worried?
Answer:
Transient achromatopsia can be associated with brain ischemia or lack of blood flow and oxygen to the brain. This can be a pre-stroke phenomenon due to constriction or blockage of blood vessels supplying the brain. This symptom should be evaluated to determine if there is compromised or blocked blood flow in the brain.
It may also be caused by a migraine. If you had one episode 2 years ago with no repeat, I would doubt this was an ongoing serious process. However, if you have any stroke risk such as
hypertension (high blood pressure),
diabetes, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), family history, cigarette smoking or advancing age, then you should have a full physical exam with the appropriate tests ordered.