What is Color Blindness?
Color Blindness is defined as an abnormal condition characterized by the inability to clearly distinguish different colors of the spectrum. In most cases it is not a blindness, but a weakness in preserving colors distinctly. There are two forms of color blindness; Daltonism, the more common form, is characterized by an inability to distinguish reds from greens. It is an inherited sex linked disorder. Total color blindness or achromatic vision is characterized by an inability to perceive any color at all. Only white, gray, and black are seen. It may be the result of a defect in or the absence of cones in the retina. (Mosby's pocket dictionary, 2010)
Color blindness can be a misleading term because those diagnosed as being color blind are not blind at all. They can see, but they view color with a limited palate. In essence color blindness is an invisible disability as there are no outward symptoms. Color vision requires the use of specialized receptor cells called cones, which are located in the retina of the eye. There are three types of cones, termed red, blue, and green, which enable people to see a wide spectrum of colors.(Unknown, 2001) A deficiency in any of these cones will result in some form of color blindness.
Normal Protanopia Deuteranopia Tritanopia
Color Blindness is defined as an abnormal condition characterized by the inability to clearly distinguish different colors of the spectrum. In most cases it is not a blindness, but a weakness in preserving colors distinctly. There are two forms of color blindness; Daltonism, the more common form, is characterized by an inability to distinguish reds from greens. It is an inherited sex linked disorder. Total color blindness or achromatic vision is characterized by an inability to perceive any color at all. Only white, gray, and black are seen. It may be the result of a defect in or the absence of cones in the retina. (Mosby's pocket dictionary, 2010)
Color blindness can be a misleading term because those diagnosed as being color blind are not blind at all. They can see, but they view color with a limited palate. In essence color blindness is an invisible disability as there are no outward symptoms. Color vision requires the use of specialized receptor cells called cones, which are located in the retina of the eye. There are three types of cones, termed red, blue, and green, which enable people to see a wide spectrum of colors.(Unknown, 2001) A deficiency in any of these cones will result in some form of color blindness.
Normal Protanopia Deuteranopia Tritanopia
Photo courtesy of ("Colour blind awareness")
Types of Color Blindness:
Protanopia- A form of colorblindness where the person has difficulty distinguishing shades of red.
Deuteranopia- A form of colorblindness where the person has difficulty distinguishing shades of green. It is the most common color deficiency.
Tritanopia- A form of colorblindness where the person cannot distinguish between blue and yellow.
Achromatic - A form of colorblindness where the person is unable to perceive any color. Only white, gray, and black are seen. (see picture of crayons at the top of the page for an example) (Mosby's pocket dictionary, 2010)
Treatment:
There is no treatment for color blindness.
Types of Color Blindness:
Protanopia- A form of colorblindness where the person has difficulty distinguishing shades of red.
Deuteranopia- A form of colorblindness where the person has difficulty distinguishing shades of green. It is the most common color deficiency.
Tritanopia- A form of colorblindness where the person cannot distinguish between blue and yellow.
Achromatic - A form of colorblindness where the person is unable to perceive any color. Only white, gray, and black are seen. (see picture of crayons at the top of the page for an example) (Mosby's pocket dictionary, 2010)
Treatment:
There is no treatment for color blindness.