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What is Color Blindness?
Posted by: Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute in Eye Health
Color blindness, also known as color vision deficiency (CVD), is a condition that affects a significant 300 million people worldwide. This means that a large portion of the population does not perceive color the same way as the majority. It’s a condition that alters the way their eyes interpret light, affecting approximately 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women. Consider the objects around you; the colors you see are not inherent to the objects themselves. Instead, these objects absorb light and reflect specific colors that we perceive. For instance, a red fire extinguisher only appears red because it reflects that specific color when light hits it. Turn off the lights, and the red fire extinguisher transforms into a dark gray color.
How Do We See Color?
We see color as it strikes the back of the retina. The retina is lined with millions of cells known as rods and cones that take the colors reflected off objects as light-sensitive signals and relay those signals to our brains via the optic nerve and pathway. Our brain recognizes that specific signals from specific reflections are a particular type of color. Rod cells are sensitive to different light levels, while cone cells are more sensitive to differing colors. People generally have three types of cone cells that can discern different colors and shades.
Defining Color
Different types of color blindness are separated into three categories.
Red-Green Color Blindness
There are four types of red-green color blindness:
- Deuteranomaly is the most common type of red-green color blindness. It makes the green look redder. This type is mild and doesn’t usually get in the way of everyday activities.
- Protanomaly makes red look more green and less bright.
- Protanopia and Deuteranopia both make you unable to differentiate between red and green altogether.
Blue-Yellow Color Blindness
This less-common color blindness makes it hard to distinguish between blue and green and yellow and red.
There are two types of blue-yellow color blindness:
- Tritanomaly makes it hard to distinguish between blue and green and yellow and red.
- Tritanopia makes you unable to tell the difference between blue and green, purple and red, and yellow and pink. It also makes colors look less bright.
Full-Color Blindness
If you have complete color blindness, you can’t see colors at all, which is also called monochromacy, which is uncommon. Depending on the type, you may have trouble seeing clearly and more sensitivity to light.
Color Blindness Is Something We Check For
While color blindness may seem minor, it can pose challenges in everyday tasks. However, there’s hope. Technology has made it possible to adjust screen contrast, create bolder or more prominent text, and filter specific colors, making the digital world more accessible to those with different vision impairments. Remember that an eye exam can provide clarity if you’re concerned about your color perception. Call today to schedule your appointment and ensure you’re experiencing life in full color!
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