Color blindness

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

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Color blindness, as the name suggests, is diminished of absent capacity to perceive differences in color.

Genetics[edit | edit source]

In most cases, color blindness runs in families, usually X-linked.

Types[edit | edit source]

Red and green[edit | edit source]

The most common type of color blindness makes it hard to tell the difference between red and green.

Blue and yellow[edit | edit source]

Another type makes it hard to tell the difference between blue and yellow.

Complete color blindness[edit | edit source]

People who are completely color blind don’t see color at all, but that’s not very common.

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Difficulty or inability to tell the difference between colors, see bright colors are, and the different shades of colors

Ishihara 9.png

Patient might be unaware[edit | edit source]

Since the symptoms of color blindness are often so mild that you may not notice them. And since we get used to the way we see colors, many people with color blindness don’t know they have it.

Other symptoms[edit | edit source]

People with very serious cases of color blindness might have other symptoms, too — like quick side-to-side eye movements (nystagmus) or sensitivity to light.

Causes[edit | edit source]

The most common kinds of color blindness are genetic, meaning they’re passed down from parents.

Color blindness can also happen because of damage to your eye or your brain. And color vision may get worse as you get older — often because of cataracts (cloudy areas in the lens of the eye).

Incidence[edit | edit source]

About 1 in 12 men are color blind Most people with color blindness are born with it, but it doesn’t show up until later in life in many.

Tests[edit | edit source]

Your eye doctor can usually use a simple test to tell you if you’re color blind using Isahart chart etc

Treatment[edit | edit source]

There’s no cure for color blindness that’s passed down in families, but most people find ways to adjust to it.

Children with color blindness[edit | edit source]

Children with color blindness may need help with some classroom activities, and adults with color blindness may not be able to do certain jobs, like being a pilot, commercial driver, or graphic designer.

Glasses and contacts[edit | edit source]

Special contact lenses and glasses may help people who are color blind tell the difference between colors.

Visual aids[edit | edit source]

You can use visual aids, apps, and other technology to help you live with color blindness.

Smart phone apps[edit | edit source]

There are certain apps where you can use an app to take a photo with your phone or tablet and then tap on part of the photo to find out the color of that area.

Color blindness Resources



Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD