How Men and Women See Things Differently?

Have you ever disagreed with someone over the colour of a shirt or tried to explain what you noticed in the crowd? Maybe it was not an opinion; it was a visual difference. Men and women experience the world through sight in different ways than most people realise.

These are not the differences that suggest one sees better than the other; it is the visual processing that varies. Through colour perception, biology has shown how our brain functions in the case of vision, shaping how we view the world. In this blog, we’ll explore the key facts about men's and women's vision and what they mean.

What is the Difference?

Men tend to grab the first shirt they see. They usually give little thought to colours and combinations, which sometimes leads to deciding on an outfit in 2 minutes. In contrast, women are known to shop for hours. They spend their time choosing the right style for themselves, carefully considering styles, shades, and how everything fits together. The difference actually reflects how both genders see colours.

Women Have Better Colour Perception

As discussed above, women spend more hours shopping because their eyes can discern colours better. They can recognise even a slight difference in the shade of a colour. A simple colour that appears red to most men can be orange, scarlet, magenta, fuchsia or not even a shade of red.

1 out of 12 men has some form of colour blindness that does not let them perceive colours correctly. In worse cases, they will not be able to distinguish between green and red colour. In such cases, tinted lenses can prove to be of help, especially with green or blue filters. Tinted lenses can improve colour contrast to make daily tasks more manageable.

Men’s Strength in Tracking Visual Shifts

We are already aware how women can identify shades more effectively within the colour spectrum. But when it comes to tracking fast-moving objects or fine details, men have the power to check this with more clarity. Studies suggest that this advantage is linked to differences in neuron development in the visual cortex.

Men's and Women’s Brains Are Wired Differently

Years ago, I watched a stand-up comedy on how men and women think. Men have a segment in their brain that makes them think about nothing. That’s a joke, but there are differences between how men and women’s brains are wired, making them see things differently.

Men have 25% more neurons, which means they often need slightly longer wavelengths to perceive colours as clearly as women do. As a result, shades like red, which have a shorter wavelength, can appear more intense to men.

The Hunter-Gatherer Theory

In history, men often became hunters because of their physical strength, and women were gatherers, balancing the responsibility of caring for their children. These roles weren’t just social; they shaped how each gender developed certain visual strengths. Hunters needed sharp eyesight to detect subtle movements and spot potential danger from a distance. This helped men evolve with stronger sensitivity to motion and spatial awareness. Meanwhile, gatherers relied on accurate colour perception to identify ripe, edible fruits and plants, making women naturally more attuned to differences in shade and hue. Outdated or not, the hunter-gatherer theory still offers fascinating insight into the development of gender-based visual differences over time.

Women’s Eye Health

According to researchers, two-thirds of global blindness and visual impairments are suffered by women. They are more prone to eye health issues than men, like glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and many other autoimmune diseases. Eyes have a complex functioning, and the process of getting clear vision requires healthy maintenance.

You can start with simple habits like eating a balanced diet rich in leafy greens, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants that help in supporting long-term eye health.

To maintain your eye health at its optimum, it is important to undergo regular eye tests. Specscart offers free eye comprehensive check-ups for everyone, with no eligibility requirements. You can book a free appointment at any of our stores across Manchester to book a free eye test for your loved ones or yourself.

Wrapping It Up

Men and women see the world differently; the vision difference tells us how remarkable and complex our vision truly is. The difference in colour perception is common in both genders and can be seen easily in daily life. But regardless of how we see it, protecting our eye health is something we all need to take seriously.

The good news is we don’t differentiate between men and women when it comes to eyewear and eyecare. You can visit our website to find premium fashion-forward eyewear styles for everyone at 70% lower prices than the high street.