Including Risk Factors, Causes, Testing, and Treatment Options
Color blindness isn’t just black and white. There is a range of color vision deficiency that can make it difficult for people to tell the difference between certain colors, or even shades of a color. In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about color blindness, including who is at risk, what causes it, and if there are available treatments.
What is Color Blindness?
Color blindness, also known as color vision deficiency, means that the affected person just sees colors a little differently than most other people. The most common form of color blindness is having a difficult time differentiating between certain colors. This means that most people who are color blind don’t see the world in shades of grey. However, it can make life a little interesting, for instance, when trying to discern between green and red on a traffic light, which is why the colors are always designed to be displayed in the same order!
What Causes Color Blindness?
Most people who have color vision deficiency are born with it. This is because the common types of color blindness are genetic. However, color vision deficiency can also happen because of an injury to the retina, the optic nerve, or the brain itself. Color vision can also get worse as you age, often due to cataracts.
What are the Types of Color Vision Deficiency?
There are three main types of color blindness, with some subtypes. They include:
- Red-Green Color Vision Deficiency: This makes it difficult to distinguish between red and green. There are four types of red-green color blindness.
- Deuteranomaly: The most common form of red-green color vision deficiency, which makes certain shades of green look more red. This type is mild and usually doesn’t get in the way of normal activities.
- Protanomaly: This makes certain shades of red look more green and less bright. It is also mild and usually doesn’t get in the way of normal activities.
- Protanopia and Deuteranopia: Both of these types make someone unable to tell the difference between red and green at all.
- Blue-Yellow Color Vision Deficiency: This is a less common type of color blindness, which makes it hard to tell the difference between several different color combinations. There are two types of blue-yellow color vision deficiency.
- Tritanomaly: This makes it hard to tell the difference between blue and green and between yellow and red.
- Tritanopia: This makes someone unable to tell the difference between blue and green, purple and red, and yellow and pink. It also makes colors look less bright.
- Complete Color Vision Deficiency: This is when you can’t see colors at all and can also be referred to as monochromacy or achromatopsia. This is a rare form of color blindness, and depending on the type, you may also have trouble seeing clearly and be more sensitive to light.
What are the Symptoms of Color Vision Deficiency?
The main symptom is not being able to see colors the way most people do. If you have color vision deficiency, you’ll have trouble seeing:
- The difference between colors
- How bright colors are
- Different shades of colors
Symptoms are often mild so they may be hard to notice, plus people usually adjust to differences in how they see color. This is often why people with color blindness usually don’t know they have it.
Those with a very serious case of color vision deficiency might have other symptoms, such as quick side-to-side eye movements, known as nystagmus, as well as a sensitivity to light.
Who is at Risk of Color Blindness?
Generally, men are at a much higher risk than women for color vision deficiency. However, there are some other risk factors, including:
- A family history of color vision deficiency
- Certain eye diseases
- Certain health problems such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, or multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Taking certain medications
- Being white
When Should I Get My Child Tested for Color Blindness?
It can be tricky to diagnose color vision deficiency in children. Some kids who have color blindness attempt to hide it. But having color vision deficiency can make it hard to read a chalkboard or do other activities. If you are concerned, get your child’s eyes tested, especially if there is a family history.
How is Color Blindness Tested?
Color vision deficiency is one of the most common types of tests your eye doctor will perform during an exam. They will show you a circle made of many different colored dots. Inside the circle is a shape made of dots, such as a number, letter, or squiggly line. The shape is easy to see if you don’t have color blindness, but those who do, will have a difficult time seeing the shape.
Are There Treatments for Color Blindness?
There is no cure for color vision deficiency that is genetic, but most people adjust to it. Children with color vision deficiency may need help with some classroom activities, and adults with it may need accommodations to do jobs that rely on telling the difference between colors.
If the deficiency is occurring because of another health problem, your doctor will treat the condition that is causing the problem. If you are taking a medication that causes color vision deficiency, your doctor may adjust how much you take or suggest switching to a different medicine.
If color blindness is causing problems with everyday tasks, speak with your eye doctor about available options, such as:
- Glasses and contacts with special lenses to help people tell the difference between colors (they work by increasing the contrast between colors to make them easier to differentiate)
- Visual aides, such as apps that let people take photos with a phone or tablet then tap part of the photo to find out what color it is.
Need to Get Tested or Seek Treatment?
Black Diamond Eye Care offers exceptional and comprehensive eye care! Our dedicated team can assist you or your child for getting tested for color vision deficiency as well as help you seek treatment, such as special glasses or recommendations for visual aides. Schedule your next eye exam with us today.
