Protanope, or protanopia, is a type of color vision deficiency characterized by an inability to perceive red light. Individuals with protanopia lack functioning red cones in their retinas, which affects their ability to distinguish between red and green hues. This condition is a form of red-green color blindness and is typically inherited as an X-linked trait, making it more common in males. People with protanopia often see colors in a muted range, primarily experiencing shades of blue and yellow.