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:
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.
who discovered color blindness
color blindness night blindness snow blindness
Yes. See Wikipedia - Pingelap (#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.
The cause of color blindness is X-linked factors.
Color blindness is hereditary and non-communicable.
Colour (color) blindness is genetic and is not curable.-- The question asks whether red-green color blindness is treatable, not curable.
Colour (color) blindness is genetic and is not curable.-- The question asks whether red-green color blindness is treatable, not curable.
(Apex Learning) She has at least one recessive color blindness allele.
The cure of color blindness is to drink dairy products and get lots of excerise.
howie mandle has color blindness and so does oprah
No, eye color does not determine color blindness. Color blindness is a genetic condition caused by abnormalities in the cones of the retina that detect color, and it can affect people of any eye color.