The Definition of Color Blindness

Color blindness is a condition in which individuals perceive colors differently than other. This condition is caused by genetic mutation that alters how your eyes process color, leading to difficulty distinguishing different shades of blue, yellow and red.

It can also be challenging to differentiate colors in a traffic light or read books with color-coded text. Fortunately, there are treatments available to enhance your vision and enable better sight.

There are three primary types of color vision impairment: trichromacy, protanopia and deuteranopia (commonly referred to as anomalous dichromacy).

Trichromacy: Trichromacy is the most prevalent color vision deficiency, caused when one or more photopigments in your cones don’t function correctly. It affects approximately 5% of men and rarely females.

Color vision deficiency can make it difficult to distinguish colors containing red or green and also blur blue from violet.

Eye diseases like myopia may cause vision blurrness and nearsightedness, as well as uncontrollable eye movements known as nystagmus.

Protanopia: This color deficiency is the most prevalent, occurring when your long-length red-responsive photopigments don’t work correctly. Without being able to see reds properly, your rainbow becomes mostly composed of what trichromats refer to as blues and golds.

You may be able to correct this with special glasses and contact lenses, but it is essential that you receive a comprehensive eye exam to check for the problem.

Your doctor may use the Farnsworth lantern test to detect if you have a visual impairment. This test involves projecting small colored lights onto an observer who then needs to identify which hue it perceives.

They can also be utilized to screen applicants for jobs requiring color discrimination. Although these tests tend not to be highly accurate, they provide useful insight into someone’s color vision and whether they possess the necessary abilities to do their job successfully.

Some color blindness can also be caused by eye injuries, diseases and medications. It’s essential that you inform your doctor if you have any eye problems or take medications that could affect how you see.

It is essential to be aware that it’s common for someone with color vision deficiencies not to realize they have them. Many individuals with red-green or blue-yellow deficiency don’t experience symptoms until a situation arises where colors become confused.

If you or your child may have a family history of color blindness or are concerned that they might have it, make an appointment with your eye doctor for a comprehensive exam and recommendations regarding treatment options and strategies to manage this condition. Your eye doctor can also provide helpful tips and strategies for living life more fully with this condition.

Be mindful that other factors, like the way your cones are constructed, can also influence how you perceive color. Some of these issues can be corrected with medication, surgery and vision training.