0
Color blindness is the inability to see certain colors in the usual way.
Alternative NamesColor deficiency; Blindness - color
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsColor blindness occurs when there is a problem with the color-sensing materials (pigments) in certain nerve cells of the eye. These cells are called cones. They are found in the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye.
If you are missing just one pigment, you might have trouble telling the difference between red and green. This is the most common type of color blindness. Other times, people have trouble seeing blue-yellow colors. People with blue-yellow color blindness almost always have problems identify reds and greens, too.
The most severe form of color blindness is achromatopsia. A person with this rare condition cannot see any color. Achromatopsia is often associated with lazy eye, nystagmus (small, jerky eye movements), severe light sensitivity, and extremely poor vision.
Most color blindness is due to a genetic problem. (See: X-linked recessive) About 1 in 10 men have some form of color blindness. Very few women are color blind.
The drug hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can also cause color blindness. It is used to treat rheumatoid Arthritis, among other conditions.
SymptomsSymptoms vary from person to person, but may include:
- Trouble seeing colors and the brightness of colors in the usual way
- Inability to tell the difference between shades of the same or similar colors
Often, the symptoms may be so mild that some persons do not know they are color blind. A parent may notice signs of color blindness when a child is learning his or her colors.
Rapid, side-to-side eye movements and other symptoms may occur in severe cases.
Signs and testsYour doctor or eye specialist can check your color vision in several ways. Testing for color blindness is commonly done during an eye exam.
TreatmentThere is no known treatment.
Expectations (prognosis)Color blindness is a life-long condition. Most persons are able to adjust without difficulty or disability.
ComplicationsThose who are colorblind may not be able to get a job that requires color vision. For example, a pilot needs to be able to see colors.
Calling your health care providerMake an appointment with your health care provider or ophthalmologist if you think you (or your child) have color blindness.
ReferencesYanoff M, Duker JS, Augsburger JJ, et al. Ophthalmology. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004:34.
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004:2410.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoColor blindness is the inability to see certain colors in the usual way.
Alternative NamesColor deficiency; Blindness - color
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsColor blindness occurs when there is a problem with the color-sensing granules (pigments) in certain nerve cells of the eye. These cells are called cones. They are found in the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye.
If just one pigment is missing, you may have trouble telling the difference between red and green. This is the most common type of color blindness. If a different pigment is missing, you may have trouble seeing blue-yellow colors. People with blue-yellow color blindness usually have problems identifying reds and greens, too.
The most severe form of color blindness is achromatopsia. A person with this rare condition cannot see any color, so they see everything in shades of gray. Achromatopsia is often associated with lazy eye, nystagmus (small, jerky eye movements), severe light sensitivity, and extremely poor vision.
Most color blindness is due to a genetic problem. (See: X-linked recessive) About 1 in 10 men have some form of color blindness. Very few women are color blind.
The drug hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can also cause color blindness. It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, among other conditions.
SymptomsSymptoms vary from person to person, but may include:
- Trouble seeing colors and the brightness of colors in the usual way
- Inability to tell the difference between shades of the same or similar colors
Often, the symptoms may be so mild that some people do not know they are color blind. A parent may notice signs of color blindness when a child is learning his or her colors.
Rapid, side-to-side eye movements (nystagmus) and other symptoms may occur in severe cases.
Signs and testsYour doctor or eye specialist can check your color vision in several ways. Testing for color blindness is commonly done during an eye exam.
TreatmentThere is no known treatment. However, there are special contact lenses and glasses that may help people with color blindness tell the difference between similar colors.
Expectations (prognosis)Color blindness is a lifelong condition. Most people are able to adjust to it without difficulty or disability.
ComplicationsPeople who are colorblind may not be able to get a job that requires the ability to see colors accurately. For example, electricians (color-coded wires), painters, fashion designers (fabrics), and cooks (using the color of meat to tell whether it's done) need to be able to see colors accurately.
Calling your health care providerMake an appointment with your health care provider or ophthalmologist if you think you (or your child) have color blindness.
ReferencesAdams AJ, Verdon WA, Spivey BE. Color vision. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Foundations of Clinical Ophthalmology 15th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 19.
Berson EL. Visual function testing: clinical correlations. In: Tasman W, Jaeger EA, eds. Duane's Foundations of Clinical Ophthalmology 15th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 14.
Wiggs JL. Molecular genetics of selected ocular disorders. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 1.2.
Sieving PA, Caruso RC. Retinitis pigmentosa and related disorders. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier; 2008:chap 6.10.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/01/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Who discover color blindness?
who discovered color blindness
What are the different types of blindness?
color blindness night blindness snow blindness
Are all women carriers of color blindness?
Yes. See Wikipedia - Pingelap (#Color-blindness)
Which is NOT true of color blindness?
It is not true that color blindness is most common in females. Color blindness is most common in males and approximately 8 percent of men have it.
What is the usual cause of color blindness?
The cause of color blindness is X-linked factors.
How do people contract the disease color blindness?
Color blindness is hereditary and non-communicable.
How do you treat red-green color blindness?
Colour (color) blindness is genetic and is not curable.-- The question asks whether red-green color blindness is treatable, not curable.
How do you treat red green color blindness?
Colour (color) blindness is genetic and is not curable.-- The question asks whether red-green color blindness is treatable, not curable.
What is the cure of color blindness?
The cure of color blindness is to drink dairy products and get lots of excerise.
Do any famous people have color blindness?
howie mandle has color blindness and so does oprah
Color blindness is a recessive trait. The gene for color blindness is on the X-chromosome. The family tree below shows the trait of color blindness. The only unknown is the mother in the first generation?
(Apex Learning) She has at least one recessive color blindness allele.
Is color blindness found in a lot of people?
Color blindness can effect anyone. Usually effected with the colors red. Mostly boys get color blindness.
