A Short Course On Color Blindness

COLOR BLINDNESS (color vision deficiency) is the decreased ability to perceive color differences, or to even see certain colors. Although there is no actual “blindness”, color vision deficiency affects significant percentages of the population. The most common form of color blindness makes it difficult for people to distinguish between red and green.

The three types of congenital or inherited color blindness are monochromacy, dichromacy, and anomalous trichromacy. The chart below simulates how each of these conditions affects sight.

Experience Color Blindness For Yourself

Click on the image below to see how people with each of the three types of color blindness see the same scene:

What Causes Color Blindness?

Our eyes have sophisticated photoreceptors called rods and cones. Cones are responsible for helping our eyes and brain see colors. Most people have cones that help them see red, cones that see green, and cones that see yellow. Color blindness occurs when one or two of those groups of cones has trouble responding normally.

Take A Color Blindness Test

Click on the small Ishihara Color Test image to take your own color blindness test online.

Color Blindness Typically Isn’t Cause For Worry

Generally, color blindness is not a severe condition. Most people adjust, better learning to distinguish items according to shape, placement, texture, context, etc. However, if you develop color blindness suddenly, you should contact us immediately. It could be a sign of something more serious such as cataracts or Parkinson’s disease.

No Such Thing As Color?

See the world through the eyes of a color blind musician who believes that there is no such thing as color:

Ask Us About Color Blindness During Your Next Visit To Our Practice

If you have questions about color deficiency disorder either give us a call, message us on Facebook, or let’s chat the next time you visit our office! And as always, thank you for being our valued patient and friend.