Description

Color blindness is an eye disease in which someone can not see the difference between certain colors. Although many people tend to use the term "color blind" for this condition, the actual color of the blindness in which everything is seen in shades of white and black, is rare. The medical term for color blindness is known as color vision deficiency.

Color blindness is usually inherited, which means it is passed down from parents to children. Men are more likely to be born with color blindness. The majority of people with color blindness can't tell the difference between certain shades of red and green. Less commonly, people with color blindness can't tell the difference between shades of blue and yellow.

Certain eye diseases, and some medications can also cause color blindness.

Symptoms

You may have a deficiency of color vision and not know it. Some people realize that they or their child has the condition when the cause of confusion, such as when there are problems in the differentiation of the colors of a traffic light or in the interpretation of color codes to the learning materials.

The people affected by color blindness may not be able to distinguish:

  • The different shades of red and green.
  • Different shades of blue and yellow.
  • Any color.

The most common color deficiency is the inability to see some shades of red and green. Often, a person who is red-green or blue-yellow-deficient is not completely insensitive to both colors. The defects can be mild, moderate or severe.

When to see a doctor

If you suspect that you have problems to distinguish certain colors or color changes in your vision, see an eye doctor for testing. It is important that children receive comprehensive eye exams, including tests of color vision, before the start of school.

There is No cure for inherited deficiencies of the color, but if the disease or the disease of the eyes is the cause, treatment can improve color vision.

Causes

See colors in the light spectrum is a complex process that begins with your eyes on the ability to respond to different wavelengths of light.

The light, which contains all the wavelengths of color, enters the eye through the cornea and passes through the lens, a transparent, jelly-like tissue in the eye (vitreous humor) to the wavelength-sensitive cells (cones) at the back of your eye in the macular area of the retina. The cones are sensitive to short (blue), medium (green) or long (red) wavelengths of light. The chemicals in the cones to trigger a reaction and send the wavelength of the information through your optic nerve to the brain.

If your eyes work as they should, that perceive color. But if your cones are not working properly, you will be unable to distinguish the colors red, green, or blue.

Risk factors

Several factors increase the risk of color blindness, including:

  • Gender. The color blindness is much more common in men than in women.
  • The history of the family. The color blindness is often inherited, which means it is passed down from parents to children. You can inherit a mild, moderate, or degree of severity of the condition. Inherited deficiencies of the color tends to affect both eyes, and the severity does not change throughout his life.
  • Diseases. Some conditions that may increase the risk of deficiency of color include sickle cell anemia, diabetes, macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, Parkinson's disease, chronic alcoholism, and leukemia. One eye may be more affected than the other, and the color deficiency can be improved if the underlying disease can be treated.
  • Certain medications. Some medicines can affect color vision, such as hydrochloroquine, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Damage to the eyes. Color blindness can be caused by trauma to the eye as a result of an injury, surgery, radiation therapy, or laser treatment.

Diagnosis

If you have problems seeing certain colors, an eye care professional to test for color deficiency. The test is likely involves a thorough examination of the view and looking at especially designed photos. These photos are made of colored dots that have numbers or shapes in a different color hidden in them.

If someone has a deficiency of color vision, they will find that it is difficult or impossible to see some of the patterns in the points.

Treatment

There are No treatments for most types of color vision difficulties, unless the problem of color vision is related to the use of certain medications or conditions of the eye. The suspension of the drug causing the vision problem or the treatment of the underlying disease of the eye may result in a better color vision.

Using a colored filter over eyeglasses or color contact lenses can enhance the perception of contrast between the confusing colors. But those lenses will not improve the ability to see all the colors.

Potential future treatments

Some rare retinal disorders associated with deficiency of color, possibly, could be modified with the gene replacement techniques. These are the treatments under study. One of the treatments was approved by a rare disease called Leber's congenital amaurosis, a retinal condition that is present at birth. The treatment could be available in the future.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Try the following tips to help you avoid your color blindness.

  • Memorizing the order of the colored objects. If it is important to know that the individual colors, such as traffic lights, to memorize the order of the colors.
  • Color label of the items that you want to match with other items. Have someone with good color vision helps to sort and label your clothing. Organize your clothes in your closet or drawers to the colours that can be worn together are close to each other.
  • The use of the technology. There are apps for phones and tablets that can help you to identify colors.

Preparing for your appointment

You can start by seeing someone in their team of primary health care or to make an appointment with an eye care professional who specializes in disorders of the eyes (ophthalmologist or optometrist).

Prepare a list of questions can help you make the most of your time. For the color blindness, some basic questions to ask include:

  • How could have the color of the deficiencies that affect my life?
  • Will be the color of the shortcomings affect my current or future occupation?
  • There are treatments for color blindness?
  • Do you have any brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?
  • There are special glasses or contact lenses I use to improve my vision of the colors?

What to expect from your doctor

You'll likely be asked a few questions, such as:

  • When did you first notice you have trouble seeing certain colors?
  • Affect one eye or both eyes?
  • Does anyone in your family (including parents and grandparents) have color blindness?
  • Do you have any medical conditions?
  • Are exposed to chemicals at your workplace?
  • Are you taking any drugs or supplements?
Symptoms and treatment of Color blindness